Minister States MoD Looking at Potential Threat from Vehicles from China, as Personnel Instructed to Refrain from Confidential Discussions in Vehicles.
An defense official has revealed that the MoD is actively examining the potential threats posed by Chinese vehicles, while staff have been advised to avoid discussing classified information in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recently aired appearance on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to talk about classified information while riding in Chinese vehicles.
He said that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but stressed that security is a issue in every modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, not to have discussions at a secret level in any vehicle, due to the growing risks of surveillance that exist in all automobile, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
The announcement follows reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to disable public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly shining laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
This wider defence situation highlights the importance of strong measures and vigilance in every areas of government operations, from vehicle usage to discussions habits.
