Minister Confirms MoD Looking at Security Risk from Vehicles from China, with Personnel Instructed to Refrain from Confidential Discussions in Cars.
An defense minister has stated that the Ministry of Defence is actively examining the possible security risks posed by Chinese cars, while personnel have been told to refrain from discussing secret information in all cars.
Security Advice for MoD Staff
During a recent interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on reports that MoD officials have been instructed not to discuss secret information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister stated that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, however emphasised that security is a concern in all contemporary cars.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a tiny fraction.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, to avoid having discussions at a classified level in any kind of car, because of the growing threats of surveillance that are present in all vehicle, to only have those confidential talks in protected areas. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
The announcement comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship has been shining laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
The broader defence situation underscores the importance of strong measures and vigilance in every aspects of official operations, including transport usage to discussions habits.