An defense official has stated that the MoD is actively examining the potential security risks posed by Chinese vehicles, while personnel have been instructed to avoid talking about secret matters in any cars.
Security Advice for Defence Staff
During a recently aired interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to talk about secret material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister said that the ministry is “examining” cars from China within its fleets, but emphasised that safety is a concern in all modern vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified level in any kind of car, due to the growing threats of surveillance that are present in all automobile, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: That is exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Broader Defence Context
This revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off buses and cause chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly shining laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
The wider defence environment highlights the importance of strong protocols and vigilance in all aspects of official operations, including transport use to communication practices.
