A defence official has stated that the MoD is actively examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made vehicles, and personnel have been told to avoid talking about classified matters in all vehicles.
Security Advice for Defence Staff
In a recent appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to discuss classified information while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister explained that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but stressed that security is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, not to have discussions at a secret level in any vehicle, because of the growing threats of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those secret talks in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Security Background
The announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow China to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship has been shining laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
The wider defence situation underscores the importance of strong protocols and vigilance in every areas of government operations, including transport use to communication practices.
