Government Official Says MoD Examining Potential Threat from Chinese Cars, with Personnel Advised to Avoid Secret Talk in Cars.
An defense official has stated that the Ministry of Defence is actively looking into the possible threats posed by Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been advised to refrain from discussing secret matters in all vehicles.
Security Advice for Defence Personnel
During a recent appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD officials have been told not to discuss secret material while riding in Chinese cars.
He said that the ministry is “looking into” cars from China within its fleets, but emphasised that safety is a concern in every modern vehicles.
Our department has a collection of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their car, to avoid having conversations at a classified level in any vehicle, because of the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, the minister responded: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Defence Background
The announcement comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow China to switch off public transport and cause chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at RAF pilots, described as a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
This broader defence environment underscores the significance of robust measures and vigilance in all aspects of government operations, from vehicle use to discussions habits.
