A defense official has revealed that the MoD is currently examining the possible security risks associated with Chinese vehicles, while staff have been advised to refrain from discussing classified information in any cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss classified information while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister said that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however noted that safety is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a classified classification in any kind of car, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that are present in all vehicle, to only have those confidential talks in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for anyone concerned about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using all cars from China, Pollard responded: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Defence Context
The announcement follows claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia spy ship has been directing lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
The wider security environment highlights the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in every aspects of official activities, including vehicle use to communication practices.
