An defense minister has confirmed that the MoD is actively investigating the potential threats posed by Chinese vehicles, while staff have been instructed to avoid talking about classified matters in any cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recently aired interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to discuss classified material while riding in China-made cars.
The minister stated that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but emphasised that security is a issue in every contemporary cars.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a secret classification in any kind of vehicle, due to the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to only have those secret conversations in protected areas. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Security Context
This announcement follows reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow China to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
The wider security situation highlights the importance of robust measures and vigilance in all areas of government activities, including vehicle usage to discussions habits.
