An defence official has revealed that the MoD is currently looking into the possible security risks associated with Chinese vehicles, while staff have been instructed to avoid discussing secret information in any cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Staff
During a recently aired interview on LBC, a defence minister addressed reports that MoD officials have been told not to discuss classified material while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister stated that the MoD is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, however stressed that security is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a collection of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their car, not to have conversations at a classified level in any vehicle, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in all vehicle, to only have those secret conversations in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for everyone 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’s precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”
Broader Defence Context
This announcement follows claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable public transport and bring chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel has been shining laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
This wider security environment underscores the importance of strong measures and caution in all aspects of government operations, from transport usage to discussions habits.
