A defense official has stated that the MoD is actively investigating the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been instructed to avoid discussing classified information in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that MoD officials have been told not to talk about secret information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister stated that the ministry is “examining” cars from China within its fleets, but noted that safety is a issue in all modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their car, to avoid having conversations at a secret classification in any vehicle, because of the growing risks of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using every cars from China, the minister replied: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
The revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
The broader defence situation highlights the importance of robust protocols and vigilance in every aspects of government activities, from transport use to communication practices.
