An defence minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently examining the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made vehicles, while personnel have been advised to refrain from discussing classified information in all cars.
Security Advice for Defence Personnel
During a recently aired interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to talk about secret material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
He stated that the MoD is “looking into” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but emphasised that safety is a concern in every contemporary cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, not to have discussions at a secret classification in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing threats of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to only have those secret conversations in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Context
This revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
This wider security situation underscores the importance of robust protocols and vigilance in every areas of government operations, from transport use to discussions practices.
