Government Official Says MoD Examining Security Risk from Vehicles from China, as Personnel Instructed to Avoid Secret Talk in Vehicles.
A defence minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese cars, while staff have been instructed to avoid talking about secret matters in any vehicles.
Security Advice for MoD Personnel
During a recent interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to talk about secret information while riding in Chinese vehicles.
He said that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but noted that security is a issue in every modern cars.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their car, not to have discussions at a secret level in any kind of vehicle, due to the growing risks of surveillance that are present in all vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Context
The announcement comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and cause chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at RAF aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
The wider security situation highlights the importance of strong measures and vigilance in all areas of government operations, including transport use to communication practices.
