A defence minister has revealed that the MoD is actively investigating the potential threats associated with Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been instructed to refrain from discussing secret matters in any vehicles.
Safety Advice for MoD Personnel
In a recent appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to discuss secret material while riding in Chinese cars.
The minister stated that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but emphasised that security is a concern in every modern cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles 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 MoD devices into their car, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any car, due to the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. This is a wise and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using every cars from China, the minister responded: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
This announcement comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable China to disable buses and bring chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
This broader defence environment highlights the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in all areas of official operations, from transport usage to communication habits.
