An defense official has stated that the MoD is actively examining the potential security risks posed by Chinese vehicles, while staff have been instructed to avoid talking about classified matters in any vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recently aired appearance on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD officials have been told not to discuss secret material while travelling in China-made vehicles.
The minister explained that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but stressed that security is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is not to plug MoD devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a secret level in any kind of car, due to the increasing threats of surveillance that are present in all vehicle, to only have those secret talks in protected areas. 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’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Defence Background
The revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
This wider defence situation underscores the importance of strong measures and vigilance in every areas of government operations, from vehicle use to communication practices.
