Minister Confirms MoD Investigating Potential Threat from Vehicles from China, as Staff Told to Avoid Confidential Discussions in Cars.
A defence minister has revealed that the MoD is actively investigating the possible threats posed by Chinese cars, and personnel have been told to refrain from discussing secret information in any vehicles.
Safety Advice for Defence Staff
In a recently aired appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD staff have been told not to discuss secret information while riding in China-made vehicles.
He stated that the ministry is “examining” cars from China within its fleets, but emphasised that security is a issue in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
But regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug MoD technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a secret level in any vehicle, because of the increasing threats of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those confidential conversations in protected areas. This is a wise and sensible thing for anyone concerned about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all cars from China, Pollard responded: That is exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Security Background
This announcement follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and cause chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship has been shining lasers at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
This broader defence situation underscores the significance of robust measures and vigilance in every aspects of official operations, from transport use to communication habits.
