A defence official has confirmed that the MoD is currently looking into the possible threats posed by Chinese-made vehicles, while personnel have been advised to refrain from talking about classified matters in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for Defence Staff
During a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss secret material while riding in Chinese vehicles.
He stated that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however stressed that security is a concern in all contemporary cars.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is not to plug MoD devices into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a secret level in any kind of car, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in secure locations. That’s a wise and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Background
This announcement follows claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
The broader defence environment underscores the significance of robust protocols and caution in all aspects of official operations, from transport usage to communication practices.
