An defence official has confirmed that the MoD is currently looking into the potential security risks associated with Chinese vehicles, while personnel have been advised to refrain from discussing secret matters in any cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed reports that MoD officials have been told not to discuss secret information while travelling in China-made vehicles.
He explained that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however emphasised that security is a issue in all modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in 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, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any kind of car, due to the growing risks of surveillance that exist in all automobile, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using every cars from China, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Security Background
The revelation follows claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could enable China to disable public transport and cause disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship has been shining lasers at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
This wider defence environment highlights the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in every aspects of official operations, including vehicle use to communication habits.
