A defense official has revealed that the MoD is actively looking into the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made vehicles, while personnel have been instructed to refrain from discussing secret information in any vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to discuss classified information while riding in China-made cars.
The minister stated that the MoD is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but stressed that safety is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence 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 vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Defence Background
This announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and bring chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
This broader defence environment underscores the significance of strong protocols and caution in every aspects of government operations, from vehicle use to discussions practices.