Minister Says Ministry of Defence Examining Potential Threat from Chinese Cars, as Staff Advised to Avoid Secret Talk in Vehicles.
A defense official has stated that the MoD is currently looking into the possible security risks associated with Chinese vehicles, and personnel have been advised to avoid talking about classified matters in any vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recent interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD officials have been instructed not to talk about secret information while riding in China-made vehicles.
He said that the ministry is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however noted that security is a concern in every modern vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.
However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their car, not to have conversations at a secret level in any kind of car, because of the growing risks of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone concerned about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using all cars from China, Pollard responded: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Security Context
The revelation follows reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
The wider security environment underscores the importance of strong measures and caution in every aspects of official operations, including vehicle use to discussions practices.
