An defense official has stated that the Ministry of Defence is currently examining the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made vehicles, and personnel have been told to avoid discussing classified information in all cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
In a recently aired interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss secret information while riding in Chinese cars.
The minister stated that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but noted that security is a issue in all modern vehicles.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug MoD technology into their car, not to have discussions at a secret classification in any car, due to the increasing risks of eavesdropping that are present in all automobile, to only have those confidential talks in secure locations. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about security.
When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: That is exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Security Context
The announcement comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off buses and cause chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russia spy ship has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
The broader defence situation highlights the importance of strong measures and caution in all areas of government operations, from vehicle use to discussions habits.
