A defence official has confirmed that the MoD is actively investigating the possible security risks posed by Chinese cars, and staff have been advised to refrain from talking about secret information in all vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed reports that MoD staff have been told not to talk about secret information while travelling in China-made vehicles.
He said that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however stressed that security is a concern in every contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their car, to avoid having conversations at a classified level in any car, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in all automobile, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. This is a wise and sensible thing for anyone worried about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
The revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off buses and bring disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at RAF pilots, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
The wider defence situation highlights the importance of robust measures and caution in all areas of government activities, including transport use to discussions habits.
