An defense official has stated that the MoD is actively investigating the potential security risks posed by Chinese vehicles, and staff have been advised to avoid discussing secret matters in all cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recent appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to talk about classified material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
He explained that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however noted that security is a concern in all contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, 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 kind of vehicle, due to the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to only have those secret conversations in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using all cars from China, the minister responded: That is precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Defence Context
This revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia spy ship has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
This broader security situation underscores the importance of robust measures and vigilance in all aspects of government activities, including transport use to communication practices.
