An defence official has revealed that the MoD is currently looking into the possible security risks posed by Chinese vehicles, and staff have been advised to avoid talking about classified matters in all vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD staff have been told not to discuss classified material while travelling in China-made vehicles.
He explained that the MoD is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, but stressed that safety is a issue in all modern vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a secret level in any vehicle, due to the growing threats of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. That’s a wise and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Background
This revelation follows reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable the Chinese government to disable public transport and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
The wider defence environment highlights the significance of robust measures and caution in all areas of government activities, including transport use to discussions practices.
