A defence official has revealed that the MoD is currently examining the possible security risks associated with Chinese vehicles, and staff have been instructed to avoid talking about secret information in all vehicles.
Security Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recently aired interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on claims that MoD officials have been told not to talk about secret information while riding in Chinese vehicles.
He said that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its fleets, however emphasised that security is a issue in every contemporary cars.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their car, to avoid having discussions at a secret level in any kind of vehicle, because of the increasing risks of surveillance that are present in all vehicle, to restrict those confidential conversations in protected areas. This is a wise and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Defence Context
This revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to disable public transport and bring chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
The broader security situation underscores the significance of robust measures and caution in all areas of official operations, from vehicle use to discussions practices.
