Minister Says MoD Investigating Potential Threat from Chinese Cars, as Personnel Told to Refrain from Confidential Discussions in Vehicles.
A defense official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is currently examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, while staff have been instructed to refrain from discussing classified matters in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for Defence Personnel
In a recently aired appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on claims that MoD staff have been instructed not to talk about secret material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister stated that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, but stressed that security is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is not to plug MoD technology into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a secret classification in any kind of car, because of the growing threats of surveillance that are present in all vehicle, to only have those confidential conversations in secure locations. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone worried about security.
When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Defence Background
This revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
The wider defence situation underscores the significance of robust measures and caution in every aspects of official activities, including vehicle usage to discussions habits.
