An defence minister has stated that the MoD is actively investigating the potential threats posed by Chinese-made vehicles, and personnel have been told to avoid talking about classified information in all cars.
Security Advice for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that MoD officials have been instructed not to discuss secret information while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister stated that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however noted that safety is a concern in every modern cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, not to have discussions at a secret level in any car, due to the growing threats of eavesdropping that exist in all automobile, to only have those confidential talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about security.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using all cars from China, the minister responded: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
This revelation comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
This broader defence situation highlights the significance of strong protocols and caution in every areas of government activities, from vehicle use to communication practices.
