Minister Confirms MoD Examining Security Risk from Chinese Cars, with Personnel Instructed to Avoid Confidential Discussions in Cars.
An defence official has revealed that the MoD is actively looking into the possible security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, while staff have been instructed to avoid talking about secret matters in any cars.
Safety Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recently aired appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed claims that MoD officials have been told not to talk about classified information while riding in Chinese cars.
He said that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but emphasised that safety is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is not to plug MoD devices into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a secret classification in any car, because of the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in all vehicle, to restrict those confidential talks in protected areas. This is a prudent and sensible thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using every cars from China, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Broader Security Background
The revelation follows reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow China to switch off public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russia spy ship has been shining laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
The wider defence situation highlights the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in every areas of official operations, from vehicle usage to discussions practices.
