A defence minister has revealed that the MoD is actively looking into the possible threats associated with Chinese vehicles, while staff have been advised to avoid talking about classified matters in all cars.
Safety Advice for MoD Staff
During a recently aired appearance on LBC, a defence minister commented on reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to talk about secret material while riding in Chinese vehicles.
The minister stated that the MoD is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however stressed that security is a concern in all contemporary cars.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in 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, to avoid having discussions at a classified level in any vehicle, because of the increasing risks of surveillance that are present in every single vehicle, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. This is a wise and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Defence Context
The revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow China to disable public transport and cause chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
This broader security situation underscores the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in all areas of government activities, including vehicle use to discussions practices.
