A defense minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently investigating the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been told to refrain from talking about secret information in all cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recent interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss classified material while riding in Chinese cars.
The minister stated that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however stressed that security is a issue in all contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, not to have conversations at a classified level in any car, because of the growing risks of surveillance that are present in every single vehicle, to only have those confidential talks in protected areas. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, the minister responded: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Defence Background
This revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to disable public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF pilots, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
The wider security situation highlights the importance of strong measures and caution in every aspects of official operations, including vehicle use to communication habits.
