An defence minister has stated that the MoD is actively examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, and staff have been advised to refrain from talking about classified matters in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for Defence Staff
During a recently aired interview on LBC, a defence minister addressed claims that MoD staff have been told not to talk about classified information while riding in China-made vehicles.
He explained that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however stressed that safety is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any car, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single vehicle, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using all cars from China, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Security Background
This announcement follows claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and bring chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at RAF pilots, described as a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
The wider defence environment highlights the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in all aspects of government activities, from vehicle usage to discussions practices.
