An defence minister has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is actively looking into the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, while staff have been instructed to avoid discussing secret information in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for Defence Personnel
During a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to talk about secret information while travelling in China-made vehicles.
He explained that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its fleets, however stressed that security is a concern in all modern cars.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a secret classification in any kind of vehicle, due to the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. That’s a wise and sensible thing for everyone concerned about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
The revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
This wider defence situation highlights the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in all areas of government activities, from vehicle usage to communication habits.