An defense minister has stated that the MoD is actively looking into the possible threats posed by Chinese-made vehicles, and staff have been instructed to avoid discussing secret information in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for MoD Staff
During a recent interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD officials have been instructed not to talk about classified material while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister stated that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but emphasised that safety is a issue in all modern cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, not to have discussions at a classified classification in any vehicle, due to the increasing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in secure locations. This is a wise and reasonable thing for everyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Context
The revelation follows reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship was reportedly directing lasers at RAF pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
This broader security environment highlights the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in all aspects of government activities, from vehicle use to communication practices.
