A defence official has revealed that the MoD is currently looking into the possible threats associated with Chinese cars, while personnel have been instructed to avoid talking about classified matters in all vehicles.
Security Guidance for Defence Personnel
In a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss secret material while travelling in China-made vehicles.
He stated that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but stressed that security is a issue in every contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, not to have discussions at a secret classification in any vehicle, because of the growing threats of surveillance that are present in all automobile, to only have those secret conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Security Context
This revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and cause chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
The broader defence environment highlights the significance of strong measures and caution in all areas of official activities, including vehicle usage to communication habits.
