An defence minister has stated that the Ministry of Defence is currently looking into the potential security risks posed by Chinese cars, and staff have been instructed to refrain from talking about secret information in any cars.
Security Advice for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to talk about secret material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister said that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however emphasised that safety is a concern in every contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a secret level in any car, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to only have those confidential talks in protected areas. That’s a wise and sensible thing for anyone concerned about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using every cars from China, Pollard responded: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Defence Context
The revelation comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
This wider defence environment highlights the importance of robust protocols and caution in all areas of official activities, including vehicle use to communication habits.
