A defence official has stated that the MoD is currently looking into the possible threats associated with Chinese-made cars, and staff have been instructed to refrain from discussing secret information in any cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
In a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to discuss secret information while riding in China-made cars.
He explained that the MoD is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but emphasised that security is a issue in every modern cars.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a tiny fraction.
But regardless of if you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their car, not to have discussions at a classified level in any vehicle, because of the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those secret talks in secure locations. That’s a wise and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Context
The revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow China to disable public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at RAF pilots, described as a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
The broader security situation underscores the significance of strong measures and caution in all aspects of government activities, from vehicle use to communication habits.
