A defense minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently examining the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been told to refrain from discussing classified matters in any vehicles.
Security Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recently aired appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD staff have been told not to discuss classified material while travelling in China-made cars.
He explained that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its fleets, but emphasised that safety is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having discussions at a secret level in any vehicle, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single automobile, to restrict those confidential conversations in protected areas. This is a wise and sensible thing for anyone worried about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Background
The revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly shining lasers at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
The broader security situation underscores the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in every areas of government operations, from vehicle usage to communication practices.
