Minister Says MoD Looking at Potential Threat from Chinese Cars, as Staff Told to Refrain from Secret Talk in Cars.
A defense minister has stated that the MoD is currently investigating the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made vehicles, while staff have been instructed to refrain from discussing classified information in all vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recent interview on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD staff have been told not to talk about classified material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister said that the MoD is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but noted that safety is a concern in every modern cars.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified level in any kind of car, due to the increasing threats of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, Pollard replied: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Defence Context
The announcement comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
The wider security situation highlights the significance of strong protocols and caution in all aspects of government activities, including transport usage to communication practices.
