An defense official has confirmed that the MoD is actively examining the possible threats posed by Chinese vehicles, and personnel have been advised to avoid talking about classified matters in any vehicles.
Security Guidance for Defence Personnel
During a recently aired interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss secret information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister stated that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but noted that security is a issue in all modern cars.
We have a collection of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug MoD technology into their car, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any kind of car, because of the growing risks of surveillance that exist in all vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using all cars from China, the minister responded: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Context
This announcement comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable public transport and cause disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly shining laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
This wider security environment highlights the importance of strong measures and vigilance in every areas of government activities, from transport usage to communication practices.
