An defense official has stated that the MoD is currently examining the possible security risks associated with Chinese vehicles, and personnel have been instructed to refrain from talking about secret matters in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to talk about classified material while riding in China-made vehicles.
He stated that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but noted that safety is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any vehicle, because of the increasing threats of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for anyone worried about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: That is exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
The announcement follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made buses, which could enable the Chinese government to disable public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
The broader defence situation highlights the importance of robust measures and caution in every areas of official operations, including transport use to communication practices.
