A defense official has confirmed that the MoD is actively investigating the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been advised to refrain from talking about secret matters in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for Defence Personnel
During a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to discuss classified material while riding in Chinese vehicles.
He stated that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however noted that security is a issue in every contemporary cars.
We have 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 car from another country, our instruction to our people is not to plug MoD devices into their car, not to have conversations at a secret level in any car, because of the increasing threats of eavesdropping that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those confidential conversations in protected areas. This is a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
This revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off buses and bring chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at RAF pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
This wider security environment underscores the importance of strong protocols and caution in all aspects of government operations, from vehicle usage to discussions practices.
