An defense official has stated that the Ministry of Defence is actively investigating the possible security risks posed by Chinese cars, and staff have been instructed to avoid talking about classified information in all cars.
Security Advice for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to talk about classified material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister said that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but noted that security is a concern in all contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified level in any car, because of the growing threats of surveillance that exist in all automobile, to only have those secret conversations in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: That is exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Context
The revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship has been directing lasers at RAF pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This wider security environment highlights the importance of robust measures and vigilance in all areas of official operations, from vehicle use to communication practices.
