An defence official has revealed that the MoD is currently investigating the potential threats associated with Chinese-made cars, while staff have been told to refrain from discussing classified matters in any cars.
Safety Advice for MoD Personnel
In a recently aired interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to discuss secret information while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister stated that the MoD is “investigating” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but noted that safety is a concern in all contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug MoD technology into their car, to avoid having discussions at a classified level in any kind of car, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in all automobile, to restrict those secret talks in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone concerned about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using every cars from China, the minister replied: That is exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
This revelation follows reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
This wider security environment underscores the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in every areas of official activities, including transport use to communication habits.
