A defence official has stated that the MoD is currently looking into the possible security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, and staff have been instructed to refrain from discussing classified information in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for MoD Staff
During a recent appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD officials have been told not to talk about classified information while travelling in China-made cars.
The minister stated that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but noted that safety is a issue in every modern vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is not to plug MoD technology into their car, not to have discussions at a classified level in any vehicle, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those secret talks in secure locations. This is a wise and reasonable thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using all cars from China, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Context
The announcement follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow China to disable buses and cause chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This broader defence environment highlights the significance of strong measures and caution in all areas of government activities, from transport usage to discussions practices.
