Minister Confirms MoD Looking at Security Risk from Vehicles from China, with Personnel Instructed to Refrain from Confidential Discussions in Vehicles.
A defence official has stated that the Ministry of Defence is actively examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made vehicles, and staff have been advised to refrain from discussing classified matters in all vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recently aired interview on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to talk about secret information while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister explained that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however stressed that safety is a concern in every modern vehicles.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug MoD devices into their car, to avoid having discussions at a secret level in any kind of vehicle, due to the growing risks of surveillance that are present in every single automobile, to only have those confidential talks in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: That is exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
The revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and bring chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
The broader defence environment underscores the significance of strong protocols and caution in all areas of official operations, including transport use to communication habits.
