An defence official has stated that the MoD is actively investigating the potential threats associated with Chinese vehicles, while staff have been told to avoid discussing secret information in all cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Personnel
In a recently aired interview on LBC, a defence minister addressed reports that MoD officials have been told not to discuss classified information while riding in China-made cars.
He said that the MoD is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however emphasised that safety is a issue in every contemporary cars.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a secret classification in any kind of car, because of the increasing threats of eavesdropping that are present in all automobile, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
This revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and cause chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship was reportedly shining laser beams at RAF aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
This broader security environment highlights the importance of robust measures and vigilance in all aspects of official activities, including vehicle use to discussions practices.
