An defense official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is actively investigating the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made vehicles, while staff have been instructed to refrain from discussing secret matters in any cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that MoD staff have been told not to discuss classified material while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister explained that the MoD is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however noted that security is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a secret classification in any kind of vehicle, because of the increasing threats of surveillance that exist in all vehicle, to restrict those secret talks in secure locations. This is a wise and sensible thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Security Context
The revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow China to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
This broader defence situation underscores the significance of strong measures and vigilance in all aspects of official operations, including vehicle use to discussions habits.
