A defense minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently investigating the possible threats associated with Chinese-made vehicles, while personnel have been instructed to refrain from talking about secret information in all cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Staff
During a recently aired appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed claims that MoD staff have been told not to discuss secret information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister said that the MoD is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however stressed that safety is a concern in every modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
But regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a secret classification in any vehicle, because of the growing threats of surveillance that are present in every single vehicle, to only have those confidential talks in secure locations. This is a wise and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Security Background
The revelation follows claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
The wider security environment underscores the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in every aspects of official operations, including vehicle usage to discussions practices.
