A defence official has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is actively examining the potential threats posed by Chinese-made cars, and staff have been told to refrain from talking about classified matters in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for MoD Staff
During a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister addressed reports that MoD staff have been told not to talk about classified information while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister said that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but noted that security is a concern in every modern cars.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a secret classification in any car, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that are present in all automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. This is a wise and sensible thing for anyone concerned about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using all cars from China, Pollard responded: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Background
The announcement follows claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to disable public transport and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
This wider defence situation highlights the significance of robust protocols and caution in every areas of official operations, from transport usage to communication practices.
