An defence official has confirmed that the MoD is actively investigating the potential security risks associated with Chinese cars, and personnel have been instructed to avoid discussing secret matters in any cars.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD officials have been told not to talk about classified information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister explained that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however noted that security is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a classified classification in any car, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. This is a wise and sensible thing for anyone worried about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Context
This announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow China to disable buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship has been directing lasers at RAF aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
The broader security environment underscores the importance of robust protocols and caution in all areas of official activities, including transport use to discussions habits.
