An defense official has stated that the MoD is currently examining the possible threats posed by Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been advised to avoid talking about secret matters in all cars.
Security Advice for MoD Staff
During a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister addressed reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to discuss secret information while riding in China-made cars.
He said that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its fleets, however emphasised that safety is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their car, to avoid having discussions at a secret classification in any kind of car, due to the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in all automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in protected areas. That’s a wise and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Background
The revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
The broader defence environment underscores the significance of strong measures and caution in all aspects of official activities, from transport use to communication practices.
