A defense official has confirmed that the MoD is actively investigating the possible security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, while staff have been instructed to avoid talking about classified information in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recently aired appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss secret information while riding in Chinese vehicles.
He explained that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but stressed that security is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a secret classification in any vehicle, because of the growing threats of eavesdropping that are present in all automobile, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: That is precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Security Context
This announcement follows reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made buses, which could enable China to disable buses and bring chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russia spy ship was reportedly shining lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
This wider security situation underscores the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in all aspects of official activities, including vehicle use to communication habits.
