A defence minister has revealed that the MoD is actively looking into the possible security risks associated with Chinese cars, while staff have been advised to refrain from discussing classified matters in any cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recently aired appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to discuss classified material while travelling in China-made cars.
The minister said that the MoD is “looking into” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but emphasised that security is a issue in all contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD 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 not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified level in any vehicle, because of the growing threats of surveillance that are present in all vehicle, to restrict those confidential talks in protected areas. This is a wise and reasonable thing for everyone worried about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: That is precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Security Background
The announcement comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
This broader defence environment underscores the importance of strong protocols and caution in all aspects of government operations, including vehicle usage to discussions habits.
