A defence official has revealed that the MoD is currently investigating the possible threats posed by Chinese-made vehicles, and personnel have been instructed to avoid talking about secret matters in all cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to talk about classified material while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister said that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however noted that security is a issue in every contemporary cars.
We have a collection of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a secret level in any car, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to only have those confidential talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Broader Defence Context
The announcement comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at RAF pilots, described as a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
The broader security situation highlights the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in all aspects of official operations, from transport usage to communication habits.
