An defence minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, while staff have been told to avoid discussing secret information in any cars.
Safety Guidance for Defence Personnel
In a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on claims that MoD staff have been told not to discuss secret information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister explained that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however stressed that safety is a concern in every contemporary cars.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, not to have conversations at a secret level in any kind of vehicle, due to the growing threats of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to only have those secret conversations in secure locations. This is a prudent and sensible thing for everyone concerned about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Security Context
This announcement follows reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow China to disable public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
This broader security environment highlights the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in every areas of government activities, including transport usage to communication habits.
