A defense minister has stated that the MoD is actively looking into the potential security risks associated with Chinese cars, while staff have been told to refrain from discussing classified information in all cars.
Security Advice for MoD Staff
During a recent interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss classified material while travelling in China-made cars.
He explained that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its fleets, but emphasised that security is a concern in every modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their car, not to have conversations at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing risks of surveillance that are present in all automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for anyone worried about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all cars from China, the minister replied: That is precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Security Background
The revelation follows claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing lasers at RAF aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
The wider defence environment highlights the significance of strong protocols and caution in every areas of official operations, including transport usage to discussions habits.
