An defense minister has confirmed that the MoD is actively looking into the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made vehicles, and staff have been instructed to refrain from discussing classified matters in all vehicles.
Safety Advice for Defence Personnel
During a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to talk about secret material while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister stated that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however emphasised that security is a issue in all modern cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles 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 car, not to have conversations at a secret level in any car, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single automobile, to only have those secret conversations in secure locations. That’s a wise and sensible thing for everyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using every cars from China, the minister responded: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Defence Background
This revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to switch off public transport and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship was reportedly shining lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
The broader security situation highlights the importance of strong measures and caution in every areas of government activities, from transport usage to communication habits.
