A defense official has stated that the Ministry of Defence is currently looking into the possible threats posed by Chinese-made vehicles, and staff have been told to avoid talking about classified information in any cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recent interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed claims that MoD officials have been told not to discuss secret information while riding in Chinese cars.
The minister explained that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however noted that safety is a issue in all modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, not to have conversations at a secret classification in any vehicle, due to the growing risks of surveillance that are present in every single automobile, to restrict those secret talks in protected areas. This is a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Background
This revelation follows reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
The wider security environment highlights the importance of strong protocols and vigilance in every areas of government operations, from transport usage to discussions habits.
