A defence official has revealed that the MoD is actively examining the possible threats posed by Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been advised to refrain from discussing classified matters in all cars.
Safety Advice for Defence Personnel
In a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that MoD officials have been instructed not to discuss secret information while riding in Chinese vehicles.
The minister stated that the MoD is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but noted that security is a concern in all contemporary cars.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their car, not to have discussions at a classified classification in any kind of vehicle, because of the increasing threats of surveillance that are present in every single vehicle, to only have those confidential talks in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using every cars from China, Pollard replied: That is precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
This revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to disable public transport and cause chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at RAF pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This broader security environment highlights the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in all areas of government activities, from transport use to communication practices.
