A defence official has confirmed that the MoD is actively investigating the potential threats posed by Chinese vehicles, and personnel have been instructed to avoid discussing classified information in any vehicles.
Security Guidance for Defence Personnel
In a recently aired interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to talk about classified material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister explained that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but noted that safety is a concern in every modern vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
But regardless of if you’re traveling in a Chinese car 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 vehicle, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in all automobile, to restrict those confidential conversations in protected areas. This is a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
This revelation follows reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
The wider security environment highlights the importance of strong measures and caution in every aspects of government activities, including transport use to communication practices.
