A defence official has stated that the MoD is actively investigating the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made vehicles, and personnel have been instructed to refrain from discussing secret matters in any cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Personnel
During a recently aired interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to talk about secret information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister explained that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but noted that safety is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But regardless of if you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having discussions at a classified level in any car, because of the increasing threats of surveillance that exist in all vehicle, to restrict those confidential talks in protected areas. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using all cars from China, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
The revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
The wider security environment underscores the significance of strong measures and vigilance in all aspects of official activities, including transport usage to discussions practices.
