Government Official Says Ministry of Defence Looking at Potential Threat from Vehicles from China, as Personnel Instructed to Refrain from Confidential Discussions in Cars.
A defense official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is actively examining the possible security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been told to avoid talking about secret matters in all vehicles.
Security Advice for Defence Staff
During a recent appearance on LBC, a defence minister commented on reports that MoD staff have been told not to discuss secret material while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister stated that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but stressed that safety is a issue in every contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is not to plug MoD technology into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a classified level in any car, due to the increasing threats of surveillance that exist in every single automobile, to only have those confidential conversations in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone worried about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Security Context
This announcement follows claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
The wider defence situation highlights the significance of robust measures and vigilance in every aspects of official activities, from vehicle usage to communication practices.
