A defense minister has revealed that the MoD is actively examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made vehicles, while staff have been advised to refrain from talking about secret information in any cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
During a recently aired appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on reports that MoD staff have been told not to discuss classified material while riding in Chinese cars.
He explained that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but emphasised that safety is a issue in every modern cars.
We have a collection of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a classified level in any kind of car, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that are present in all automobile, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about security.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: That is exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
This announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off buses and bring chaos to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship has been directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.
The broader defence situation underscores the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in every areas of government activities, from vehicle use to communication habits.
