An defense official has confirmed that the MoD is actively examining the potential security risks posed by Chinese cars, and personnel have been instructed to avoid discussing secret matters in any cars.
Safety Advice for Defence Staff
In a recent appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD staff have been told not to talk about secret material while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister said that the MoD is “looking into” cars from China within its fleets, but stressed that security is a concern in every modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However 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 car, not to have discussions at a secret classification in any kind of car, due to the growing threats of surveillance that are present in all vehicle, to only have those secret conversations in protected areas. That’s a wise and sensible thing for everyone concerned about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Security Background
This announcement comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
This broader defence situation highlights the significance of strong measures and vigilance in every areas of official operations, including transport use to communication habits.
