An defence official has confirmed that the MoD is currently examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made vehicles, and staff have been instructed to refrain from discussing classified matters in any cars.
Safety Advice for Defence Staff
In a recent interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss classified material while travelling in China-made vehicles.
The minister explained that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however emphasised that safety is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a classified classification in any car, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in secure locations. This is a wise and sensible thing for everyone concerned about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using every cars from China, Pollard responded: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
The announcement follows claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship was reportedly shining lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
This wider security environment underscores the importance of robust measures and vigilance in all areas of official operations, including transport use to discussions practices.
