A defense minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently investigating the possible security risks posed by Chinese cars, and personnel have been advised to avoid discussing classified matters in any cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Staff
During a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that MoD officials have been instructed not to talk about classified information while travelling in China-made vehicles.
He said that the MoD is “looking into” cars from China within its fleets, but noted that safety is a concern in all contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their car, to avoid having conversations at a secret classification in any vehicle, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Security Background
This announcement follows reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow China to disable public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing lasers at RAF aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
The wider security situation underscores the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in every aspects of official operations, from vehicle use to communication habits.
