A defence minister has confirmed that the MoD is actively investigating the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been advised to refrain from talking about classified matters in any cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Personnel
During a recently aired appearance on a radio station, a defence minister addressed reports that MoD staff have been told not to talk about classified material while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister stated that the ministry is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but noted that safety is a issue in all modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is not to plug MoD devices into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a classified classification in any car, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single vehicle, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. This is a wise and reasonable thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using all cars from China, Pollard responded: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Context
This revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off buses and cause disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship was reportedly shining lasers at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
The broader security situation highlights the significance of robust measures and vigilance in every aspects of official activities, from vehicle use to communication habits.
