A defence minister has stated that the Ministry of Defence is currently examining the possible security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been instructed to avoid discussing classified matters in all vehicles.
Security Advice for MoD Staff
In a recent interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to talk about classified material while riding in Chinese cars.
The minister stated that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but noted that security is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a classified classification in any vehicle, because of the growing risks of surveillance that are present in every single vehicle, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for anyone concerned about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Security Background
The announcement comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly shining laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
This wider security environment highlights the importance of strong protocols and vigilance in all areas of official activities, from transport usage to discussions habits.
