Government Official States Ministry of Defence Investigating Potential Threat from Vehicles from China, as Staff Told to Avoid Secret Talk in Cars.
A defence official has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is actively investigating the possible threats posed by Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been told to refrain from discussing classified matters in all vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recently aired interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss classified material while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister explained that the MoD is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but emphasised that security is a concern in all modern cars.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a classified classification in any vehicle, because of the growing threats of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, Pollard replied: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Defence Context
The announcement comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and cause chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly shining lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
The broader security situation highlights the importance of strong measures and vigilance in every areas of government operations, from vehicle usage to communication habits.