A defence minister has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is actively investigating the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, and staff have been instructed to avoid discussing classified matters in any cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
In a recent appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to talk about secret material while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister said that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its fleets, however stressed that safety is a issue in all modern cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a classified level in any car, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in protected areas. That’s a wise and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: That is precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Security Context
This announcement follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at RAF aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
The broader security situation highlights the significance of strong protocols and caution in all areas of official activities, from transport usage to communication habits.
