A defence official has revealed that the MoD is actively examining the potential security risks posed by Chinese cars, and personnel have been told to avoid talking about secret matters in all vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
In a recently aired appearance on a radio station, a defence minister addressed reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to talk about classified material while riding in China-made cars.
He said that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but emphasised that security is a issue in every modern vehicles.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
But regardless of if you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing risks of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, Pollard replied: That is exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Security Background
The announcement follows claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This broader defence environment underscores the importance of strong protocols and vigilance in all aspects of official activities, including vehicle use to discussions habits.
