An defence official has stated that the MoD is currently examining the possible security risks associated with Chinese cars, while personnel have been told to refrain from discussing classified information in all vehicles.
Security Advice for MoD Personnel
During a recent appearance on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to talk about secret material while travelling in China-made cars.
The minister said that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however noted that safety is a concern in all modern vehicles.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
However regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a classified classification in any kind of vehicle, due to the increasing risks of surveillance that are present in all automobile, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Defence Context
The announcement follows claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and bring disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining laser beams at RAF aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
The wider security situation underscores the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in every aspects of official operations, from transport usage to discussions practices.
