An defence minister has revealed that the MoD is currently looking into the possible security risks posed by Chinese vehicles, and personnel have been instructed to refrain from talking about secret matters in any cars.
Safety Advice for MoD Staff
During a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to discuss secret material while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister explained that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but emphasised that security is a issue in all contemporary vehicles.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is not to plug MoD devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a secret level in any kind of car, due to the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using every cars from China, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Broader Defence Background
The announcement comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
This wider security situation underscores the importance of robust protocols and vigilance in every areas of government activities, including transport use to communication practices.
