An defense minister has revealed that the MoD is actively looking into the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made vehicles, and personnel have been told to avoid talking about classified information in any cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that MoD staff have been told not to discuss classified information while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister stated that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but noted that security is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is not to plug MoD devices into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a secret level in any kind of car, due to the growing risks of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those secret talks in protected areas. This is a wise and sensible thing for anyone concerned about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using every cars from China, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Defence Background
The revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could enable China to disable public transport and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
This wider security situation highlights the significance of strong measures and vigilance in every aspects of official operations, from transport use to discussions habits.
