Minister Says MoD Investigating Potential Threat from Vehicles from China, with Personnel Instructed to Refrain from Secret Talk in Vehicles.
An defence official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is currently looking into the possible threats posed by Chinese cars, and staff have been instructed to refrain from discussing secret matters in any vehicles.
Security Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recent appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss secret information while riding in China-made cars.
He said that the MoD is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, but emphasised that security is a issue in all modern cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their car, not to have discussions at a classified classification in any kind of car, because of the increasing threats of surveillance that exist in all vehicle, to only have those secret conversations in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, the minister replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Defence Context
The announcement follows reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to disable buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at RAF aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
The broader defence situation underscores the significance of robust measures and caution in all aspects of government operations, from transport use to discussions practices.
