A defence official has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is actively investigating the potential threats posed by Chinese cars, while staff have been advised to avoid discussing classified information in any vehicles.
Security Advice for Defence Staff
During a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to talk about secret material while travelling in Chinese cars.
He explained that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however stressed that safety is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using all cars from China, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Background
The revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel has been shining laser beams at RAF aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This wider defence environment highlights the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in every aspects of government activities, from vehicle usage to discussions habits.
