A defence minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently looking into the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, and staff have been advised to avoid discussing classified matters in any vehicles.
Security Advice for MoD Personnel
During a recent interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on claims that MoD staff have been told not to discuss secret information while riding in Chinese cars.
He explained that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however emphasised that safety is a concern in every modern vehicles.
Our department has a collection of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a classified level in any car, because of the growing threats of eavesdropping that exist in all automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Context
The announcement follows claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship has been directing laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
The wider security situation underscores the significance of strong protocols and caution in every areas of official operations, from vehicle usage to discussions habits.
