Government Official Confirms Ministry of Defence Investigating Potential Threat from Chinese Cars, as Personnel Advised to Avoid Secret Talk in Cars.
A defense official has stated that the Ministry of Defence is actively examining the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been told to avoid talking about classified matters in all cars.
Safety Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recent interview on LBC, a defence minister addressed reports that MoD staff have been told not to talk about classified information while travelling in China-made cars.
He said that the ministry is “looking into” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however stressed that security is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their car, to avoid having discussions at a secret level in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing threats of eavesdropping that exist in all vehicle, to only have those secret talks in protected areas. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, the minister replied: That is exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
This announcement follows reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable buses and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
The broader security environment highlights the importance of robust protocols and vigilance in all areas of official activities, from vehicle usage to discussions habits.
