A defense minister has stated that the Ministry of Defence is actively investigating the possible threats associated with Chinese vehicles, while personnel have been instructed to refrain from discussing classified matters in all cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recent appearance on LBC, a defence minister commented on reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to discuss secret information while riding in Chinese cars.
The minister explained that the MoD is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but noted that security is a issue in all modern cars.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug MoD technology into their car, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any kind of car, because of the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to only have those secret conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Security Background
This revelation follows claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and cause chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship has been shining laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This wider security environment highlights the importance of strong protocols and vigilance in all aspects of government activities, from transport use to discussions habits.
