An defense minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently investigating the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, while staff have been instructed to refrain from talking about classified information in all vehicles.
Security Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to talk about secret information while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister said that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however noted that safety is a concern in all contemporary cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is not to plug MoD technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any vehicle, due to the growing risks of surveillance that are present in all automobile, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using every cars from China, the minister responded: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Background
This revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
The wider security situation highlights the significance of strong protocols and caution in every aspects of official operations, including vehicle usage to discussions habits.
