An defence official has revealed that the MoD is currently investigating the possible threats posed by Chinese vehicles, and staff have been advised to refrain from discussing classified matters in any cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recently aired appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD officials have been instructed not to discuss classified information while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister explained that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but noted that safety is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a collection of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any car, because of the growing risks of surveillance that exist in all automobile, to restrict those secret conversations in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for anyone worried about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using every cars from China, the minister responded: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Context
This announcement follows reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia spy ship has been directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This wider security environment underscores the importance of strong measures and vigilance in all areas of official activities, including vehicle use to discussions practices.
