A defence minister has revealed that the MoD is actively looking into the possible threats associated with Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been instructed to avoid discussing classified information in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recent appearance on LBC, a defence minister addressed claims that MoD staff have been instructed not to talk about classified material while travelling in China-made cars.
The minister explained that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but stressed that security is a issue in every modern cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a tiny fraction.
But regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their car, to avoid having discussions at a secret classification in any car, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single automobile, to only have those secret talks in protected areas. This is a wise and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all cars from China, Pollard replied: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Background
The announcement follows reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off buses and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This broader defence environment highlights the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in all aspects of government operations, from vehicle use to communication habits.
