Trojan Horse scare in Norway

Chinese-made rental cars used during a major Norwegian Armed Forces exercise in September recorded information about soldiers' movements and activities, Norwegian defense magazine Forsvarets Forum reported last week, citing business daily Dagens Næringsliv.

The vehicles were rented through Hertz Norway -- with ownership chain reportedly leading to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group -- and at least two were reportedly Deepal cars made by Chinese automaker Changan.

According to Lt. Fredrik Blanck, who participated in the exercise, the recordings showed soldiers getting in and out of the cars, their routes, whom they picked up, and how long they stayed at different locations. The vehicles also reportedly stored access codes entered to open military gates and doors.

Although the recordings were later deleted, it remains unclear whether the data was stored elsewhere.

The Norwegian Armed Forces has a rental-car agreement covering the period from June 2024 to May 2028.

Armed Forces press officer Aleksander Engborg Hage said the military was aware of the risks associated with electronics and vehicles but added that it had no general ban on cars made by manufacturers from specific countries.

There was no immediate reaction from China to the report.