Minister Confirms MoD Investigating Potential Threat from Vehicles from China, as Personnel Instructed to Refrain from Secret Talk in Vehicles.
A defense minister has stated that the Ministry of Defence is currently looking into the possible security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, while staff have been instructed to refrain from talking about classified matters in any vehicles.
Security Advice for MoD Personnel
During a recent interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to discuss classified information while riding in China-made vehicles.
He stated that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but emphasised that security is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having discussions at a secret classification in any vehicle, because of the increasing risks of surveillance that are present in all vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in secure locations. This is a wise and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using every cars from China, Pollard replied: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
The announcement comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to disable public transport and bring chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship has been shining lasers at RAF aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
The broader security environment underscores the significance of strong measures and caution in all aspects of government activities, including vehicle use to discussions habits.
