A defence official has stated that the MoD is actively looking into the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made vehicles, and personnel have been instructed to refrain from talking about classified information in all cars.
Security Advice for Defence Staff
During a recent appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on claims that MoD officials have been told not to discuss secret information while travelling in China-made cars.
He stated that the MoD is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, however stressed that security is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
However whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a secret level in any car, due to the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those secret talks in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
The announcement follows reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
The wider defence situation highlights the importance of strong measures and caution in every aspects of government activities, from transport use to communication practices.
