Minister Says MoD Investigating Security Risk from Chinese Cars, as Personnel Advised to Avoid Confidential Discussions in Cars.
A defense official has confirmed that the MoD is actively looking into the possible threats associated with Chinese cars, while personnel have been told to avoid discussing secret information in all cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to discuss classified information while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister explained that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, but stressed that security is a concern in every modern cars.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
However regardless of if you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any vehicle, because of the increasing threats of surveillance that are present in every single automobile, to only have those confidential talks in protected areas. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using every cars from China, the minister responded: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
This revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia spy ship was reportedly shining laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.
The wider security situation underscores the importance of robust measures and vigilance in every areas of government activities, including vehicle usage to communication habits.
