A defence official has revealed that the MoD is actively investigating the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been instructed to refrain from discussing classified matters in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for Defence Staff
In a recently aired appearance on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to talk about secret information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
He stated that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however emphasised that safety is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a collection of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug MoD technology into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a secret level in any kind of car, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using all cars from China, Pollard replied: That is exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Defence Background
This revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off buses and cause disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
This broader defence environment highlights the importance of strong measures and caution in every aspects of government activities, from transport usage to discussions habits.
