A defence official has stated that the Ministry of Defence is actively examining the possible threats posed by Chinese cars, while personnel have been advised to refrain from talking about classified matters in all cars.
Security Advice for Defence Staff
During a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister addressed reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss classified material while riding in China-made vehicles.
He said that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however noted that security is a concern in all modern vehicles.
We have a collection of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a classified classification in any vehicle, because of the growing threats of eavesdropping that are present in all automobile, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. This is a wise and sensible thing for anyone concerned about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Defence Context
The revelation comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable the Chinese government to disable public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
This broader security situation underscores the significance of robust protocols and caution in all aspects of government activities, from vehicle use to communication practices.
