A defence official has revealed that the MoD is currently investigating the potential threats posed by Chinese cars, and personnel have been told to avoid discussing classified information in all vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to talk about secret information while travelling in China-made vehicles.
The minister explained that the MoD is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but noted that safety is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a secret classification in any vehicle, because of the increasing threats of eavesdropping that exist in all vehicle, to only have those secret talks in protected areas. This is a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using all cars from China, the minister responded: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
This revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia spy ship was reportedly shining lasers at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
This broader defence situation highlights the importance of strong measures and vigilance in all areas of government operations, including vehicle use to communication habits.
