A defense official has revealed that the MoD is actively looking into the possible threats associated with Chinese cars, and staff have been told to avoid discussing classified matters in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recent interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD officials have been instructed not to talk about classified information while riding in China-made cars.
The minister stated that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but stressed that security is a issue in all contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a classified classification in any car, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those secret conversations in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Defence Context
The revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable public transport and bring chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
This broader security environment highlights the importance of robust protocols and vigilance in every areas of government operations, from vehicle usage to communication practices.
