An defence minister has confirmed that the MoD is actively looking into the potential security risks posed by Chinese vehicles, and personnel have been told to refrain from talking about secret matters in all cars.
Security Advice for MoD Personnel
In a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to talk about classified information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
He said that the MoD is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however emphasised that safety is a concern in all modern cars.
We have a collection of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug MoD technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a secret level in any kind of car, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: That is precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
This revelation comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
This wider defence situation highlights the importance of robust protocols and caution in every areas of government activities, including transport use to discussions habits.
