An defense official has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is currently investigating the potential security risks associated with Chinese vehicles, while personnel have been told to refrain from talking about classified matters in all vehicles.
Safety Guidance for Defence Personnel
In a recently aired appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed claims that MoD officials have been told not to talk about secret information while travelling in Chinese cars.
He said that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however emphasised that security is a concern in all contemporary cars.
We have a collection of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a secret level in any car, because of the increasing risks of surveillance that are present in all automobile, to restrict those confidential conversations in secure locations. This is a prudent and sensible thing for everyone concerned about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into 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 multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off buses and cause disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
This broader defence environment highlights the importance of robust protocols and vigilance in all areas of government operations, including vehicle use to discussions habits.