A defense official has confirmed that the MoD is currently looking into the potential threats associated with Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been instructed to refrain from talking about classified information in any vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
In a recently aired appearance on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to discuss classified information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
He explained that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however noted that security is a issue in all modern cars.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is not to plug MoD technology into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, due to the growing threats of eavesdropping that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those confidential conversations in protected areas. This is a wise and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Security Context
This revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off buses and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
The wider security environment highlights the importance of robust protocols and vigilance in every aspects of government operations, from transport use to discussions practices.
