Minister Confirms MoD Examining Security Risk from Vehicles from China, with Staff Advised to Refrain from Secret Talk in Cars.
An defense minister has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is currently investigating the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been told to avoid discussing secret matters in all cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to discuss secret information while travelling in China-made vehicles.
The minister explained that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, however stressed that safety is a concern in every contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a secret level in any kind of vehicle, due to the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret talks in secure locations. This is a wise and sensible thing for anyone concerned about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Background
This revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This wider defence situation highlights the importance of robust measures and caution in all areas of official operations, including vehicle usage to communication habits.
