An defence official has stated that the MoD is currently examining the possible threats posed by Chinese-made vehicles, and personnel have been told to refrain from talking about classified information in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for MoD Personnel
In a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss classified information while riding in Chinese cars.
The minister explained that the ministry is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however emphasised that security is a concern in every modern vehicles.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their car, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any kind of vehicle, due to the increasing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single automobile, to only have those secret talks in protected areas. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
This announcement comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made buses, which could enable the Chinese government to disable public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This broader security situation highlights the significance of robust measures and caution in every areas of government operations, from vehicle usage to discussions habits.
