An defense minister has stated that the MoD is actively examining the potential threats associated with Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been instructed to avoid talking about classified matters in any cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
In a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on claims that MoD staff have been instructed not to talk about secret material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister said that the MoD is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but noted that safety is a concern in all modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug MoD technology into their car, not to have conversations at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, due to the increasing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone worried about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using every cars from China, Pollard responded: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Defence Context
The revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship has been directing laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
This broader defence environment underscores the significance of strong measures and caution in every areas of government activities, from transport usage to discussions habits.
