Government Official Confirms MoD Investigating Security Risk from Chinese Cars, with Personnel Told to Refrain from Secret Talk in Cars.
An defence official has stated that the MoD is currently looking into the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, while staff have been instructed to avoid discussing classified matters in any cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recent interview on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss secret material while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister said that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, but noted that safety is a concern in all contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a secret level in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing risks of surveillance that are present in every single vehicle, to only have those secret conversations in protected areas. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using all cars from China, the minister replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Context
This revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable China to disable buses and bring disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at RAF pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
The wider defence environment underscores the importance of strong protocols and caution in all aspects of official activities, including vehicle usage to discussions habits.
