A defense minister has stated that the MoD is actively examining the possible threats associated with Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been told to avoid discussing secret information in any vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recent interview on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss secret material while travelling in China-made cars.
The minister explained that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but stressed that safety is a issue in every modern cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a classified level in any car, due to the increasing threats of eavesdropping that are present in every single vehicle, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all cars from China, Pollard replied: That is precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Security Background
This revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
The wider defence situation underscores the importance of robust protocols and vigilance in every areas of official operations, including vehicle usage to communication practices.
