Minister Confirms MoD Investigating Security Risk from Vehicles from China, with Staff Instructed to Refrain from Confidential Discussions in Cars.
An defence minister has stated that the MoD is actively examining the possible security risks posed by Chinese vehicles, while personnel have been advised to avoid discussing secret information in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for MoD Personnel
During a recently aired appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on claims that MoD officials have been instructed not to discuss secret information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister said that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however stressed that safety is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a collection of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, not to have discussions at a secret classification in any kind of vehicle, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that are present in all automobile, to only have those confidential talks in protected areas. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using every cars from China, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Defence Context
This announcement follows reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
This broader security environment highlights the significance of robust measures and vigilance in all areas of official activities, from vehicle use to communication habits.