Minister Says Ministry of Defence Investigating Security Risk from Chinese Cars, as Personnel Advised to Refrain from Secret Talk in Vehicles.

A defence minister has stated that the MoD is currently looking into the possible threats associated with Chinese-made vehicles, and personnel have been instructed to refrain from discussing classified information in any vehicles.

Security Guidance for Defence Personnel

In a recently aired interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to discuss classified material while travelling in Chinese cars.

The minister said that the MoD is “investigating” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but stressed that safety is a concern in all modern cars.

We have a collection of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a very small number.

But regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug MoD technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a secret classification in any vehicle, because of the increasing risks of surveillance that are present in every single vehicle, to only have those confidential conversations in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about safety.

After it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”

Wider Security Context

This revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and bring chaos to transport systems.

Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” act by government representatives.

The wider defence situation highlights the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in all areas of government operations, including vehicle use to communication practices.