An defence official has stated that the Ministry of Defence is currently examining the possible security risks associated with Chinese cars, while personnel have been instructed to avoid discussing classified information in any cars.
Security Advice for MoD Staff
In a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to discuss classified material while riding in China-made cars.
The minister said that the ministry is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however stressed that security is a issue in every modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is not to plug MoD devices into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a secret classification in any vehicle, due to the increasing threats of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those secret talks in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Defence Context
This announcement follows reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and cause chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
The wider defence situation underscores the significance of strong measures and caution in every areas of official activities, from transport use to discussions practices.
