A defence minister has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is actively investigating the possible security risks posed by Chinese vehicles, and personnel have been advised to refrain from talking about secret matters in all vehicles.
Security Guidance for Defence Personnel
During a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD staff have been told not to discuss classified material while riding in Chinese cars.
The minister stated that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however emphasised that security is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug MoD devices into their car, not to have conversations at a secret level in any kind of car, because of the growing risks of surveillance that exist in all vehicle, to restrict those confidential conversations in protected areas. This is a wise and reasonable thing for anyone 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 is exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Background
This revelation follows reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off buses and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
This wider defence environment highlights the significance of strong measures and vigilance in every aspects of government operations, from vehicle use to communication habits.
