Government Official Confirms MoD Examining Potential Threat from Chinese Cars, with Staff Advised to Refrain from Secret Talk in Vehicles.
An defence official has stated that the MoD is currently looking into the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been told to avoid talking about secret matters in any vehicles.
Security Advice for Defence Personnel
During a recent interview on LBC, a defence minister addressed claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to talk about classified information while travelling in China-made cars.
The minister stated that the ministry is “looking into” cars from China within its fleets, however noted that safety is a concern in every modern cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a classified classification in any kind of vehicle, due to the increasing threats of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for anyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, Pollard replied: That is precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Context
The announcement comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
The wider security situation highlights the significance of robust protocols and caution in every aspects of government operations, including vehicle use to communication habits.
