An defence official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is currently looking into the potential threats posed by Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been told to avoid talking about classified information in any vehicles.
Security Advice for MoD Personnel
In a recently aired interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to discuss classified information while riding in Chinese vehicles.
The minister explained that the MoD is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but stressed that safety is a concern in all contemporary cars.
Our department has a collection of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a secret classification in any kind of car, due to the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in all automobile, to restrict those secret talks in protected areas. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Security Context
This revelation comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and cause chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
The wider defence situation highlights the significance of strong protocols and caution in every aspects of official activities, including vehicle use to communication habits.
