A defence official has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is actively looking into the potential security risks posed by Chinese cars, and staff have been advised to avoid discussing classified information in all vehicles.
Security Guidance for Defence Personnel
In a recent appearance on LBC, a defence minister commented on reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to discuss secret information while riding in China-made vehicles.
He said that the MoD is “looking into” cars from China within its fleets, but noted that safety is a issue 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 traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their car, to avoid having discussions at a secret classification in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to only have those secret talks in protected areas. That’s a wise and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Broader Defence Context
The announcement comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
This broader security environment underscores the importance of robust measures and vigilance in all areas of government activities, from transport use to discussions practices.
