A defence minister has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is currently investigating the possible threats posed by Chinese vehicles, while staff have been instructed to refrain from discussing secret matters in any vehicles.
Security Advice for Defence Personnel
In a recently aired interview on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to talk about secret material while riding in Chinese cars.
The minister said that the MoD is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however emphasised that security is a issue in all contemporary cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single automobile, to restrict those secret conversations in secure locations. This is a prudent and sensible thing for anyone concerned about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
This announcement comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and bring disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship has been directing lasers at RAF aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
The wider security situation underscores the significance of robust protocols and caution in all aspects of official activities, from transport usage to discussions habits.
