An defense official has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is currently investigating the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, while staff have been instructed to avoid talking about classified matters in all vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recently aired appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to talk about secret material while riding in China-made cars.
He said that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, however emphasised that safety is a concern in every modern cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.
However regardless of if 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 vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a classified classification in any kind of car, due to the growing threats of surveillance that are present in every single automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. This is a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using all cars from China, the minister responded: That is precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”
Broader Defence Background
The announcement comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russia spy ship has been shining laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
The broader defence situation highlights the importance of robust protocols and caution in all aspects of official operations, from vehicle use to discussions habits.
