A defence official has confirmed that the MoD is currently investigating the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made vehicles, and personnel have been instructed to avoid talking about classified information in any cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed reports that MoD officials have been instructed not to discuss secret material while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister said that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however stressed that safety is a concern in all modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug MoD devices into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, because of the increasing risks 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 everyone concerned about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Defence Background
The announcement comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off buses and cause chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
This wider defence situation underscores the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in all aspects of official operations, including vehicle use to discussions practices.
