An defence minister has stated that the MoD is actively investigating the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been told to avoid discussing classified matters in any cars.
Security Advice for Defence Personnel
In a recently aired interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss secret information while riding in Chinese cars.
He explained that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but emphasised that safety is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a tiny fraction.
However regardless of if 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 discussions at a classified classification in any kind of car, due to the increasing risks of surveillance that are present in every single vehicle, to restrict those confidential conversations in secure locations. This is a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Security Background
The announcement comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
The wider defence environment underscores the importance of strong measures and caution in all areas of official operations, including vehicle usage to discussions habits.
