A defense official has revealed that the MoD is currently investigating the potential security risks posed by Chinese cars, while staff have been instructed to refrain from talking about classified information in all cars.
Safety Guidance for Defence Personnel
During a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on claims that MoD officials have been instructed not to talk about secret information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
He explained that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, but stressed that security is a concern in every modern cars.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a secret classification in any kind of vehicle, because of the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in all automobile, to only have those confidential 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 ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Defence Context
This announcement comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable China to disable public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
The broader defence situation highlights the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in every areas of government activities, from transport use to communication practices.
