An defense minister has confirmed that the MoD is actively examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, and staff have been instructed to avoid talking about secret matters in all cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recently aired appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed claims that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss secret material while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister stated that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but noted that security is a concern in every modern cars.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a secret classification in any car, because of the growing threats of surveillance that are present in all automobile, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for anyone concerned about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all cars from China, Pollard responded: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”
Broader Security Background
The revelation follows reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
This broader defence situation underscores the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in every aspects of official operations, from transport usage to discussions habits.
