An defence minister has stated that the MoD is currently examining the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, while staff have been advised to refrain from discussing classified information in any cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
In a recently aired interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD officials have been told not to discuss secret material while travelling in China-made cars.
He explained that the MoD is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however noted that security is a concern in all contemporary cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a tiny fraction.
However regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug MoD devices into their car, to avoid having discussions at a classified classification in any car, due to the increasing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single vehicle, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
This revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship was reportedly directing lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
The broader defence environment underscores the importance of robust protocols and caution in all aspects of official activities, including transport use to communication habits.
