An defence minister has stated that the MoD is actively looking into the possible security risks posed by Chinese-made vehicles, while personnel have been advised to refrain from discussing secret matters in all cars.
Security Advice for Defence Personnel
In a recent appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD officials have been told not to discuss classified material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister stated that the MoD is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but noted that security is a issue in every modern cars.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a classified level in any kind of car, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in all vehicle, to restrict those secret talks in protected areas. This is a wise and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, Pollard responded: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Security Context
This revelation comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and cause chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly shining laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
This broader security situation underscores the importance of strong measures and vigilance in every areas of government operations, from vehicle usage to discussions habits.
