A defense official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is currently examining the possible security risks posed by Chinese cars, while personnel have been instructed to refrain from discussing secret matters in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for Defence Staff
During a recently aired interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD officials have been instructed not to discuss secret material while riding in China-made cars.
The minister stated that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but emphasised that security is a issue in every modern cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a classified classification in any kind of car, due to the increasing risks of surveillance that are present in all automobile, to restrict those confidential 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 wise for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Security Background
The revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and bring chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship was reportedly shining laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
The wider defence situation underscores the significance of strong measures and vigilance in all areas of official activities, including transport usage to communication habits.
