An defense minister has stated that the MoD is currently investigating the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, and staff have been told to avoid discussing classified matters in any cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
In a recently aired appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed claims that MoD staff have been told not to talk about classified material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister explained that the ministry is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but stressed that safety is a issue in every contemporary cars.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their car, not to have conversations at a secret level in any kind of car, due to the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to only have those secret conversations in protected areas. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using every cars from China, Pollard replied: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Defence Context
The announcement follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off buses and cause disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
The broader defence situation highlights the importance of strong measures and vigilance in every aspects of official operations, including transport usage to communication habits.
