An defense official has stated that the MoD is currently examining the possible security risks posed by Chinese cars, while personnel have been instructed to avoid talking about classified matters in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for MoD Personnel
During a recently aired appearance on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss secret material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
He said that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however stressed that safety is a concern in every contemporary cars.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China 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 classification in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing threats of surveillance that exist in all automobile, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and sensible thing for anyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Context
The revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to disable buses and bring chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
The wider defence environment highlights the importance of robust measures and vigilance in all areas of government operations, including vehicle use to discussions habits.
