An defence official has revealed that the MoD is currently examining the potential security risks posed by Chinese vehicles, while personnel have been advised to avoid discussing classified matters in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for Defence Staff
During a recent interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to talk about classified information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
He explained that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, however noted that security is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, not to have discussions at a classified classification in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing risks of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to only have those confidential talks in protected areas. This is a prudent and sensible thing for anyone worried about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using every cars from China, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Security Context
The announcement comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable buses and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship was reportedly shining lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
This wider security situation underscores the significance of strong measures and vigilance in every aspects of official activities, including transport usage to discussions practices.
