An defense official has revealed that the MoD is currently looking into the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, while staff have been instructed to avoid discussing secret matters in all vehicles.
Safety Guidance for Defence Staff
During a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss classified material while riding in China-made cars.
He explained that the ministry is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however stressed that security is a concern in every modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug MoD technology into their car, to avoid having conversations at a secret level in any kind of car, due to the increasing risks of eavesdropping that are present in all automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in protected areas. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
This revelation follows claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to disable public transport and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at RAF pilots, described as a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
The wider defence situation underscores the importance of strong measures and caution in all areas of official operations, including transport usage to discussions practices.
