An defense official has confirmed that the MoD is currently looking into the possible security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been advised to refrain from discussing classified information in any cars.
Safety Guidance for Defence Personnel
During a recently aired interview on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD staff have been told not to talk about classified material while riding in China-made cars.
He stated that the MoD is “looking into” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but noted that security is a concern in all modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having discussions at a secret classification in any car, because of the growing risks of surveillance that are present in every single vehicle, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for anyone concerned about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Security Context
The revelation comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and cause disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
The wider defence situation underscores the significance of robust measures and vigilance in all areas of official operations, from transport usage to discussions habits.
