Government Official Confirms MoD Investigating Security Risk from Chinese Cars, as Personnel Instructed to Avoid Secret Talk in Cars.
A defence minister has stated that the MoD is currently examining the potential threats posed by Chinese vehicles, and personnel have been instructed to refrain from talking about classified information in all vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recent appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on claims that MoD officials have been told not to talk about classified material while riding in Chinese cars.
He stated that the MoD is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however noted that security is a concern in all modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a secret level in any car, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in all automobile, to restrict those secret talks in secure locations. This is a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, Pollard responded: That is precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
This revelation follows reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable the Chinese government to disable public transport and cause chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship has been shining laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
The broader defence situation underscores the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in all areas of official activities, from transport usage to communication habits.
