An defense official has confirmed that the MoD is actively examining the possible threats associated with Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been told to avoid talking about classified matters in all vehicles.
Security Guidance for Defence Personnel
In a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss secret information while travelling in China-made cars.
He said that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however noted that security is a issue in all modern cars.
Our department has a collection of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any car, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in all automobile, to restrict those confidential conversations in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Defence Background
This announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to disable public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
The broader security environment underscores the importance of robust protocols and vigilance in all aspects of government operations, from transport usage to discussions habits.
