Minister Says MoD Investigating Security Risk from Vehicles from China, with Personnel Advised to Avoid Confidential Discussions in Cars.
A defence official has stated that the MoD is actively investigating the potential threats associated with Chinese cars, and personnel have been instructed to refrain from talking about classified information in all cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to talk about classified material while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister said that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but stressed that safety is a issue in all modern vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that are present in all vehicle, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone worried about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Context
This announcement follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship has been shining lasers at RAF aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
This wider security environment underscores the importance of robust protocols and vigilance in all aspects of government operations, from transport usage to communication practices.
