An defence minister has stated that the MoD is currently examining the potential threats associated with Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been told to refrain from discussing secret information in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for Defence Personnel
In a recently aired interview on LBC, a defence minister addressed reports that MoD staff have been told not to discuss secret material while travelling in China-made cars.
He explained that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but stressed that safety is a issue in every contemporary cars.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a classified classification in any kind of car, because of the increasing risks of surveillance that are present in every single automobile, to only have those secret talks in protected areas. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Defence Context
The revelation follows reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow China to disable buses and cause chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This wider security situation highlights the importance of strong measures and vigilance in every aspects of government operations, including transport use to communication habits.
