A defense official has confirmed that the MoD is actively looking into the potential security risks associated with Chinese cars, and staff have been told to avoid discussing secret matters in any vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD staff have been told not to discuss secret material while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister explained that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its fleets, however stressed that security is a issue in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a collection of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a secret level in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing risks of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to only have those confidential conversations in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone worried about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
This revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to disable buses and bring chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing lasers at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
This wider defence environment underscores the importance of strong protocols and caution in all aspects of official operations, including transport use to discussions habits.
