A defense minister has confirmed that the MoD is actively examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made vehicles, while personnel have been told to avoid talking about secret matters in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for Defence Staff
During a recently aired appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD staff have been told not to talk about classified information while riding in Chinese vehicles.
The minister explained that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but noted that security is a issue in every modern vehicles.
We have a collection of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
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, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any vehicle, due to the growing threats of eavesdropping that are present in every single vehicle, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. That’s a wise and sensible thing for anyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, Pollard replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
The announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow China to disable buses and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship has been shining laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
This broader security environment highlights the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in all areas of official activities, from transport usage to discussions habits.
