Minister Confirms MoD Investigating Security Risk from Chinese Cars, as Personnel Instructed to Refrain from Secret Talk in Cars.
A defence official has revealed that the MoD is actively investigating the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made vehicles, while personnel have been told to avoid talking about classified information in all vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recently aired appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that MoD officials have been told not to discuss secret material while riding in China-made cars.
The minister said that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however noted that security is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a classified classification in any kind of vehicle, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single vehicle, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
The announcement follows reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable public transport and bring chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship has been directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
The wider defence environment underscores the importance of strong measures and caution in all areas of official activities, including transport usage to discussions practices.
