An defense minister has stated that the Ministry of Defence is currently looking into the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, and staff have been instructed to refrain from talking about secret matters in any cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss classified material while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister said that the MoD is “investigating” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but noted that safety is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug MoD technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing risks of surveillance that are present in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. This is a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Defence Context
This announcement comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable public transport and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
The wider defence environment underscores the importance of strong protocols and vigilance in all areas of official operations, from transport usage to communication habits.
