An defence official has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is currently looking into the possible threats associated with Chinese-made vehicles, and staff have been instructed to avoid talking about secret matters in all cars.
Security Advice for Defence Staff
In a recent interview on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss classified information while riding in China-made cars.
The minister stated that the MoD is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, however emphasised that security is a concern in all modern cars.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their car, not to have discussions at a classified classification in any vehicle, due to the increasing threats of surveillance that exist in all vehicle, to restrict those secret talks in secure locations. That’s a wise and sensible thing for anyone concerned about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using all cars from China, the minister responded: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Background
The announcement follows reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly shining laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
The wider defence situation highlights the significance of robust protocols and caution in all aspects of government operations, including vehicle use to discussions practices.
