An defense official has revealed that the MoD is currently examining the possible security risks associated with Chinese cars, and staff have been instructed to avoid discussing classified information in all vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recently aired appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to talk about secret information while travelling in China-made vehicles.
The minister explained that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, but emphasised that safety is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a classified classification in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing threats of surveillance that are present in all automobile, to only have those secret conversations in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all cars from China, the minister replied: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
The revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow China to disable public transport and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly shining lasers at RAF pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This wider defence environment highlights the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in every aspects of official operations, from transport usage to communication habits.
