A defence official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is currently examining the possible security risks posed by Chinese cars, while staff have been instructed to avoid talking about secret information in any cars.
Safety Advice for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD staff have been told not to discuss classified information while travelling in China-made vehicles.
The minister said that the MoD is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, but emphasised that security is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, not to have conversations at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, due to the growing risks of surveillance that exist in all vehicle, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone worried about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Security Background
The revelation follows claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to switch off public transport and cause disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
The wider defence environment highlights the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in all areas of government activities, from transport use to communication practices.
