Government Official Confirms MoD Investigating Potential Threat from Vehicles from China, as Staff Advised to Avoid Secret Talk in Cars.
A defence minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently looking into the potential security risks associated with Chinese cars, and staff have been instructed to refrain from talking about classified matters in all cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recently aired appearance on a radio station, a defence minister addressed reports that MoD officials have been instructed not to talk about secret material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
The minister explained that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but emphasised that safety is a concern in all modern cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a secret level in any vehicle, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that exist in all vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for anyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using all cars from China, the minister replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Security Context
The revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This broader security environment highlights the significance of strong measures and caution in every aspects of official operations, from vehicle use to communication practices.
