A defence minister has stated that the MoD is actively looking into the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been advised to avoid talking about secret matters in all vehicles.
Safety Guidance for Defence Staff
During a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to talk about classified material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister explained that the MoD is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but emphasised that security is a concern in all modern cars.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their car, to avoid having conversations at a secret level in any kind of car, due to the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in all automobile, to only have those confidential conversations in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Security Background
This announcement comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
The wider security environment highlights the significance of robust measures and vigilance in every areas of official operations, including transport use to discussions practices.
