An defence official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is actively investigating the potential threats associated with Chinese vehicles, and staff have been instructed to avoid discussing classified matters in any cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Personnel
During a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that MoD staff have been told not to discuss classified material while riding in Chinese cars.
He said that the MoD is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but stressed that safety is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
But regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a secret classification in any vehicle, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using all cars from China, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Context
The revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly shining laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This broader security environment underscores the importance of strong protocols and caution in all areas of government activities, from vehicle usage to communication practices.
