A defence minister has revealed that the MoD is actively investigating the possible threats posed by Chinese vehicles, and personnel have been told to avoid talking about secret information in any cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Personnel
During a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD staff have been told not to talk about classified information while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister stated that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however emphasised that safety is a concern in every contemporary cars.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, not to have conversations at a secret level in any kind of vehicle, because of the increasing threats of eavesdropping that exist in all automobile, to only have those secret conversations in protected areas. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”
Broader Defence Context
The announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and cause chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
This broader defence situation highlights the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in all aspects of official operations, from transport usage to discussions practices.
