A defense official has stated that the MoD is actively investigating the potential threats posed by Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been advised to refrain from talking about secret matters in all vehicles.
Security Advice for MoD Staff
In a recent appearance on LBC, a defence minister addressed reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to discuss secret information while riding in Chinese cars.
He said that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its fleets, but noted that safety is a concern in all modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, not to have conversations at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in all vehicle, to only have those confidential conversations in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for anyone concerned about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using every cars from China, Pollard replied: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
This announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow China to disable public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
The wider defence environment highlights the importance of strong measures and vigilance in all aspects of government operations, from vehicle use to discussions habits.
