Minister Confirms MoD Examining Security Risk from Chinese Cars, as Staff Instructed to Avoid Confidential Discussions in Cars.
An defense minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently investigating the potential threats associated with Chinese-made cars, while staff have been instructed to refrain from discussing secret matters in all vehicles.
Security Guidance for Defence Staff
During a recent appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD officials have been instructed not to talk about classified material while riding in China-made vehicles.
He explained that the ministry is “looking into” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however stressed that safety is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their car, not to have conversations at a classified level in any kind of car, due to the growing threats of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to only have those secret talks in protected areas. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Defence Context
The revelation follows claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow China to switch off public transport and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
The broader defence environment highlights the significance of robust measures and vigilance in all aspects of official operations, from vehicle usage to communication habits.
