Government Official Says MoD Examining Security Risk from Vehicles from China, with Staff Told to Avoid Secret Talk in Vehicles.
An defence official has revealed that the MoD is actively examining the potential security risks posed by Chinese cars, and staff have been instructed to avoid discussing classified matters in all cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recently aired interview on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to talk about classified information while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister stated that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but noted that safety is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their car, not to have conversations at a classified level in any vehicle, because of the increasing threats of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those confidential conversations in secure locations. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Context
The revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off buses and cause chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
This wider defence situation underscores the significance of robust protocols and caution in all areas of official activities, from vehicle usage to communication practices.