An defense official has revealed that the MoD is currently investigating the possible security risks associated with Chinese cars, and staff have been told to refrain from discussing secret information in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed claims that MoD staff have been told not to talk about classified material while riding in China-made cars.
The minister said that the MoD is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however stressed that security is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their car, to avoid having conversations at a classified classification in any vehicle, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in all vehicle, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
The revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and bring disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship has been directing lasers at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
The wider defence environment underscores the significance of robust measures and caution in every areas of government operations, including transport use to discussions habits.
