A defence official has revealed that the MoD is currently examining the possible security risks associated with Chinese cars, and personnel have been told to refrain from talking about classified information in all vehicles.
Safety Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recent interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD officials have been instructed not to discuss classified information while riding in China-made vehicles.
He said that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but emphasised that safety is a concern in all modern cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having discussions at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, due to the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in all vehicle, to only have those secret conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using every cars from China, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
This announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and cause chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
This wider security situation highlights the importance of strong protocols and vigilance in all areas of government activities, including vehicle usage to discussions practices.
