Minister States MoD Looking at Security Risk from Vehicles from China, as Personnel Told to Avoid Confidential Discussions in Vehicles.
A defense official has revealed that the MoD is currently looking into the potential threats associated with Chinese-made cars, while staff have been instructed to avoid discussing secret matters in all cars.
Safety Guidance for Defence Personnel
In a recent appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to talk about secret material while travelling in China-made cars.
He stated that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its fleets, however stressed that safety is a issue in all modern vehicles.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, not to have discussions at a classified level in any vehicle, due to the growing threats of surveillance that exist in all vehicle, to restrict those secret talks in protected areas. This is a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Security Context
The revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
The wider security situation underscores the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in all areas of official operations, including vehicle usage to communication practices.
