An defense minister has confirmed that the MoD is actively examining the potential threats posed by Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been told to avoid talking about secret matters in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for Defence Personnel
During a recent interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD staff have been instructed not to talk about classified material while riding in Chinese vehicles.
The minister stated that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however noted that safety is a issue 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 whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a secret level in any kind of car, because of the growing threats of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to only have those secret conversations in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using all cars from China, Pollard replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Background
This revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly shining lasers at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
The wider defence environment highlights the significance of robust measures and vigilance in all areas of official activities, including transport usage to discussions practices.
