An defence minister has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is currently investigating the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made vehicles, while staff have been told to avoid talking about classified matters in any vehicles.
Security Advice for Defence Staff
During a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that MoD staff have been told not to talk about secret information while riding in Chinese vehicles.
He explained that the MoD is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, however emphasised that safety is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug MoD devices into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a secret level in any vehicle, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that are present in all vehicle, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all cars from China, Pollard responded: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
This revelation comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
The broader defence environment underscores the importance of robust protocols and vigilance in every aspects of government activities, from transport usage to communication practices.
