An defence minister has revealed that the MoD is currently investigating the possible security risks associated with Chinese vehicles, while staff have been advised to refrain from discussing classified matters in any cars.
Security Advice for MoD Staff
In a recently aired appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed claims that MoD officials have been instructed not to discuss classified material while travelling in China-made vehicles.
The minister said that the MoD is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but noted that security is a concern in all modern vehicles.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a secret classification in any kind of car, because of the increasing threats of eavesdropping that exist in all vehicle, to only have those secret conversations in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using every cars from China, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
This revelation follows claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable China to disable buses and cause disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russia spy ship was reportedly shining lasers at RAF aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
This wider security situation underscores the importance of strong measures and vigilance in all areas of official operations, including transport usage to communication habits.
