An defence official has stated that the MoD is currently investigating the possible security risks associated with Chinese cars, and staff have been instructed to avoid talking about secret information in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recent appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to discuss secret material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister explained that the MoD is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but emphasised that security is a concern in every modern vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any vehicle, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for everyone worried about security.
When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, Pollard responded: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Security Context
The revelation comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
The wider defence environment underscores the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in every areas of official operations, including vehicle usage to discussions habits.
