An defence official has stated that the MoD is actively looking into the possible security risks associated with Chinese vehicles, and staff have been advised to avoid discussing secret information in all cars.
Safety Advice for Defence Staff
During a recent appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD staff have been told not to discuss secret information while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister said that the MoD is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but stressed that security is a issue in all contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a classified level in any car, due to the increasing threats of eavesdropping that are present in every single vehicle, to only have those secret conversations in secure locations. That’s a wise and sensible thing for anyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using all cars from China, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Defence Context
This revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable buses and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been shining laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
The broader security situation underscores the significance of strong measures and vigilance in every aspects of government activities, including vehicle usage to communication practices.