A defense official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is currently looking into the potential security risks posed by Chinese vehicles, while staff have been instructed to avoid talking about classified information in any cars.
Safety Advice for MoD Personnel
In a recently aired appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss classified material while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister explained that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however noted that safety is a issue in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug MoD technology into their car, to avoid having discussions at a classified classification in any vehicle, because of the growing threats of eavesdropping that exist in every single vehicle, to only have those confidential talks in protected areas. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
When 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’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Context
This announcement comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to disable public transport and bring chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly shining laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
The wider defence environment highlights the importance of strong protocols and caution in every aspects of government activities, including vehicle use to discussions practices.
