An defence official has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is currently looking into the potential security risks posed by Chinese cars, and staff have been instructed to refrain from talking about secret information in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for Defence Staff
In a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD staff have been told not to discuss classified material while riding in Chinese cars.
He explained that the MoD is “investigating” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but emphasised that security is a concern in all contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their car, to avoid having conversations at a secret classification in any kind of vehicle, because of the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in all vehicle, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for everyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
This revelation follows reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off buses and cause chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
This wider defence situation highlights the importance of strong protocols and vigilance in all aspects of official operations, including vehicle use to discussions habits.
