Minister Confirms MoD Examining Potential Threat from Vehicles from China, with Staff Instructed to Refrain from Secret Talk in Vehicles.
A defence official has stated that the MoD is currently examining the potential threats posed by Chinese vehicles, while personnel have been instructed to avoid discussing secret matters in all cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recent interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss classified information while riding in China-made cars.
He stated that the ministry is “looking into” cars from China within its fleets, but stressed that safety is a concern in every contemporary cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having discussions at a classified level in any car, because of the growing threats of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. This is a wise and sensible thing for everyone concerned about security.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Context
This revelation follows reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to disable public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
This wider security environment highlights the significance of strong measures and caution in every aspects of government activities, including vehicle use to communication practices.
