A defense official has confirmed that the MoD is actively examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese cars, while staff have been instructed to refrain from discussing secret information in any vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
In a recent interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss classified material while riding in Chinese vehicles.
The minister stated that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but noted that safety is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a secret level in any kind of vehicle, due to the increasing risks of surveillance that are present in every single vehicle, to restrict those confidential conversations in secure locations. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Security Context
This announcement comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable China to disable buses and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
This broader defence environment underscores the significance of strong measures and caution in every aspects of official activities, from vehicle use to communication practices.
