A defense minister has stated that the Ministry of Defence is currently examining the possible security risks posed by Chinese-made vehicles, while personnel have been instructed to avoid discussing classified information in any cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to talk about classified information while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister explained that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however emphasised that safety is a concern in all contemporary cars.
Our department has a collection of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, due to the growing threats of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to only have those secret conversations in secure locations. This is a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using every cars from China, Pollard responded: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Security Background
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 enable the Chinese government to switch off buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
This broader defence environment underscores the importance of robust measures and caution in all aspects of official operations, from transport usage to discussions practices.
