An defense official has revealed that the MoD is currently investigating the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made vehicles, while personnel have been advised to refrain from talking about classified information in all cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recently aired appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on claims that MoD officials have been instructed not to talk about classified information while riding in Chinese cars.
The minister 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.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, to avoid having conversations at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, due to the increasing risks of surveillance that are present in all vehicle, to only have those confidential conversations in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone concerned about security.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, the minister replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
This revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and cause disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly shining laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
This wider defence situation underscores the importance of strong measures and caution in every areas of official activities, from vehicle usage to communication habits.
