An defense official has revealed that the MoD is actively examining the potential threats associated with Chinese vehicles, while staff have been told to avoid discussing classified matters in all cars.
Security Advice for MoD Staff
During a recently aired appearance on LBC, a defence minister addressed reports that MoD officials have been told not to talk about classified information while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister said that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however emphasised that security is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a secret classification in any vehicle, due to the growing risks of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those confidential conversations in secure locations. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Context
The revelation follows reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable China to disable buses and cause disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
The broader security environment highlights the significance of strong measures and caution in every areas of government operations, including vehicle use to discussions practices.
