An defence official has confirmed that the MoD is currently looking into the possible security risks posed by Chinese vehicles, and personnel have been advised to refrain from discussing secret matters in any vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recent interview on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on claims that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss secret information while riding in Chinese vehicles.
He said that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however noted that security is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a collection of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their car, not to have conversations at a classified level in any car, due to the increasing threats of eavesdropping that are present in all automobile, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. This is a prudent and sensible thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using every cars from China, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
The announcement follows reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
This wider security situation underscores the significance of robust measures and vigilance in all areas of official operations, from transport usage to communication habits.
