A defence official has stated that the MoD is actively looking into the potential threats associated with Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been advised to avoid talking about secret information in all cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recently aired interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to discuss secret material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister explained that the MoD is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, but stressed that security is a issue in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their car, not to have conversations at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, due to the increasing threats of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in protected areas. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for everyone worried about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Background
The revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and bring chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
The wider security situation underscores the importance of strong measures and caution in every aspects of government operations, including transport use to communication practices.
