A defence minister has stated that the MoD is actively looking into the potential threats posed by Chinese cars, and staff have been advised to refrain from discussing secret information in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recently aired appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to talk about secret information while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister stated that the MoD is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however noted that safety is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
We have a collection of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any car, due to the increasing threats of eavesdropping that exist in all vehicle, to restrict those secret talks in protected areas. This is a wise and sensible thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: That is precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Defence Background
The announcement follows reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and bring chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at RAF pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
This broader security situation highlights the importance of strong protocols and vigilance in all aspects of official activities, from transport usage to discussions habits.
