A defence official has revealed that the MoD is actively examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese vehicles, and personnel have been advised to avoid discussing classified information in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for Defence Personnel
In a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss classified material while riding in Chinese cars.
He explained that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but emphasised that safety is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a secret level in any kind of vehicle, because of the increasing threats of eavesdropping that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Security Background
This revelation follows claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off buses and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
The wider security environment underscores the importance of robust protocols and caution in all aspects of official operations, from vehicle use to communication practices.
