A defence minister has stated that the MoD is currently examining the potential threats posed by Chinese-made vehicles, while personnel have been told to avoid talking about classified matters in any vehicles.
Security Guidance for Defence Personnel
In a recent appearance on LBC, a defence minister addressed claims that MoD officials have been told not to discuss classified information while travelling in Chinese cars.
He explained that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however emphasised that safety is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
However regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, not to have discussions at a secret level in any kind of vehicle, because of the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in all automobile, to restrict those confidential conversations in secure locations. That’s a wise and sensible thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Defence Context
The revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
The wider defence environment underscores the importance of robust measures and vigilance in every areas of official activities, including vehicle use to discussions habits.
