A defence official has stated that the MoD is currently examining the potential threats posed by Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been advised to refrain from discussing classified matters in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for MoD Personnel
During a recent appearance on LBC, a defence minister commented on reports that MoD staff have been told not to discuss classified information while riding in China-made cars.
The minister stated that the MoD is “investigating” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but emphasised that safety is a issue in every modern cars.
Our department has a collection of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their car, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any vehicle, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those secret talks in protected areas. This is a wise and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Defence Background
This announcement comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing lasers at RAF pilots, described as a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
This wider defence environment highlights the importance of strong protocols and caution in all areas of government operations, from transport usage to communication practices.
