An defense official has confirmed that the MoD is currently examining the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been advised to avoid talking about secret matters in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recently aired interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD officials have been instructed not to talk about classified information while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister said that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but emphasised that security is a issue in all modern cars.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug MoD devices into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a secret level in any kind of car, because of the growing threats of surveillance that exist in all automobile, to only have those confidential talks in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
The announcement comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship was reportedly directing lasers at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
The wider defence situation highlights the importance of robust measures and caution in every aspects of government activities, from transport usage to discussions habits.
