An defense minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently investigating the potential security risks associated with Chinese vehicles, while staff have been told to refrain from discussing classified matters in any cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
In a recent interview on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss secret information while riding in China-made vehicles.
He stated that the MoD is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however stressed that security is a issue in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their car, not to have conversations at a secret level in any kind of car, due to the increasing threats of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to only have those confidential talks in protected areas. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using all cars from China, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Context
The announcement follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to disable buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
The wider defence environment highlights the significance of robust protocols and caution in all aspects of official operations, including vehicle usage to discussions habits.
