A defense minister has revealed that the MoD is actively investigating the potential threats associated with Chinese vehicles, while staff have been told to refrain from discussing classified information in any cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recent interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on reports that MoD officials have been instructed not to discuss classified material while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister said that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however stressed that security is a issue in every modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a secret level in any car, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those confidential conversations in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
This revelation comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and cause disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been shining laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This broader defence situation highlights the importance of robust protocols and vigilance in every areas of official activities, from vehicle use to discussions practices.
