A defence official has stated that the Ministry of Defence is currently looking into the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, while staff have been instructed to refrain from talking about secret information in any cars.
Security Advice for MoD Staff
In a recent appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to talk about classified material while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister explained that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but stressed that security is a issue in every contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a classified classification in any kind of car, because of the growing risks of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for anyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Context
This revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at RAF pilots, described as a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
This broader defence environment underscores the importance of strong measures and caution in all areas of government activities, including vehicle use to communication practices.
