A defence official has confirmed that the MoD is currently looking into the possible security risks associated with Chinese cars, while personnel have been instructed to avoid talking about secret information in any vehicles.
Security Advice for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to talk about secret information while travelling in Chinese cars.
He said that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however stressed that security is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, to avoid having discussions at a classified level in any vehicle, due to the increasing threats of surveillance that are present in every single automobile, to only have those secret conversations in protected areas. This is a wise and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, the minister responded: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
This announcement comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow China to disable buses and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly shining laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
The broader security situation underscores the significance of strong measures and caution in every areas of government operations, including vehicle usage to discussions practices.
