A defence minister has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is currently looking into the potential threats posed by Chinese vehicles, and staff have been advised to refrain from talking about classified information in any cars.
Safety Advice for MoD Personnel
During a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD officials have been instructed not to talk about classified material while riding in China-made cars.
The minister stated that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but stressed that security is a issue in all modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their car, not to have discussions at a classified classification in any car, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single vehicle, to only have those secret conversations in secure locations. This is a wise and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: That is precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”
Broader Defence Background
This revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable the Chinese government to disable public transport and bring disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
This wider defence situation highlights the importance of robust protocols and vigilance in all aspects of official operations, from vehicle use to communication habits.
