A defence minister has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is currently examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, while staff have been advised to avoid talking about secret information in all cars.
Safety Guidance for Defence Personnel
In a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss secret material while travelling in China-made cars.
The minister said that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however emphasised that security is a issue in every modern cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their car, to avoid having discussions at a classified level in any kind of car, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those secret conversations in secure locations. This is a wise 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 Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Context
This announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and cause chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
This broader security environment highlights the importance of robust measures and vigilance in all aspects of government operations, from vehicle usage to discussions habits.
