Minister Confirms MoD Examining Potential Threat from Chinese Cars, as Personnel Told to Avoid Confidential Discussions in Vehicles.
A defense official has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is currently examining the possible security risks posed by Chinese vehicles, and staff have been instructed to refrain from talking about secret information in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for MoD Staff
During a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss secret material while travelling in China-made cars.
The minister explained that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but noted that security is a concern in every contemporary cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a classified level in any vehicle, because of the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Defence Background
The revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
The wider security situation underscores the importance of strong measures and vigilance in all areas of official operations, including vehicle usage to discussions practices.
