A defense official has confirmed that the MoD is actively investigating the possible security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, and staff have been advised to refrain from discussing classified matters in all vehicles.
Security Advice for MoD Personnel
In a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss classified material while riding in China-made vehicles.
He explained that the ministry is “looking into” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however emphasised that safety is a concern in every contemporary cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, to avoid having discussions at a classified classification in any vehicle, due to the growing threats of eavesdropping that are present in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in secure locations. This is a wise and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about security.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using every cars from China, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Security Context
This revelation follows reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to disable buses and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship has been shining laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
This broader defence environment underscores the importance of strong protocols and vigilance in all aspects of official operations, from transport use to discussions habits.