An defence official has stated that the MoD is currently examining the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made vehicles, and personnel have been advised to avoid talking about classified matters in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recently aired appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on claims that MoD officials have been instructed not to talk about classified information while travelling in Chinese cars.
He said that the MoD is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however emphasised that security is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a collection of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, because of the increasing threats of surveillance that exist in all vehicle, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. This is a wise and sensible thing for everyone concerned about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using every cars from China, Pollard responded: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Background
This revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable China to disable public transport and bring disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at RAF pilots, described as a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
This wider defence situation highlights the importance of strong protocols and vigilance in every aspects of official operations, including transport usage to discussions habits.
