An defence official has confirmed that the MoD is actively looking into the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, and staff have been advised to avoid discussing classified matters in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for Defence Staff
During a recent appearance on LBC, a defence minister commented on reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss classified material while riding in Chinese cars.
The minister stated that the MoD is “looking into” cars from China within its fleets, but stressed that security is a issue in all contemporary cars.
We have a collection of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their car, not to have discussions at a classified level in any kind of car, due to the growing threats of eavesdropping that are present in all automobile, to restrict those confidential conversations in secure locations. This is a wise and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all cars from China, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”
Broader Defence Context
The revelation follows reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and cause disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly shining laser beams at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
The broader defence situation underscores the significance of robust measures and caution in every aspects of official operations, from transport use to communication practices.
