Minister Confirms MoD Investigating Security Risk from Vehicles from China, as Staff Told to Refrain from Confidential Discussions in Cars.
A defense official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is currently examining the potential security risks posed by Chinese cars, while personnel have been instructed to refrain from discussing secret matters in all cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Personnel
During a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed claims that MoD officials have been instructed not to discuss secret information while travelling in China-made vehicles.
He said that the ministry is “looking into” cars from China within its fleets, however stressed that security is a issue in all contemporary vehicles.
We have a collection of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing threats of surveillance that are present in all automobile, to only have those secret talks in protected areas. This is a wise and sensible thing for everyone concerned about security.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using every cars from China, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Defence Context
This announcement comes as 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 buses and bring chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly shining laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
The broader defence environment underscores the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in all areas of government activities, including transport usage to communication habits.