A defense minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently examining the potential threats associated with Chinese cars, and personnel have been advised to avoid discussing secret information in all vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recent appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to talk about classified material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister explained that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its fleets, but noted that security is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having discussions at a secret classification in any vehicle, due to the growing threats of eavesdropping that are present in all vehicle, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Defence Context
This revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off buses and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
This wider security environment highlights the importance of robust measures and caution in all aspects of official operations, including transport use to communication practices.
