A defense minister has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is currently investigating the possible security risks posed by Chinese-made vehicles, while staff have been instructed to avoid talking about classified matters in all cars.
Safety Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD staff have been instructed not to talk about classified information while riding in Chinese cars.
The minister stated that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however stressed that safety is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, due to the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those secret talks in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Defence Background
The revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
The wider defence situation underscores the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in every aspects of government operations, from transport usage to discussions habits.
