An defence official has confirmed that the MoD is actively looking into the possible threats posed by Chinese-made cars, and staff have been instructed to refrain from discussing secret information in any cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on claims that MoD officials have been told not to discuss classified information while travelling in China-made cars.
He explained that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but stressed that security is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a secret classification in any kind of vehicle, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in all vehicle, to restrict those secret talks in secure locations. That’s a wise and sensible thing for anyone concerned about security.
When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: That is precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Defence Context
This revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made buses, which could allow China to disable public transport and cause disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at RAF aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
The broader defence environment highlights the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in every aspects of official operations, from transport usage to discussions habits.
