A defense official has stated that the MoD is currently examining the possible security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been instructed to avoid talking about classified information in any cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss classified material while travelling in China-made cars.
He explained that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however noted that security is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a classified level in any vehicle, because of the increasing threats of surveillance that are present in all automobile, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using every cars from China, Pollard replied: That is precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Security Context
The revelation follows claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow China to switch off public transport and bring chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
The broader defence situation underscores the significance of robust measures and caution in every aspects of official activities, including vehicle use to communication practices.
