🔗 Share this article

An defence minister has stated that the MoD is currently investigating the potential security risks associated with Chinese vehicles, and staff have been instructed to refrain from discussing classified matters in all vehicles.

Security Advice for Defence Staff

In a recent appearance on a radio station, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD staff have been instructed not to talk about classified material while travelling in Chinese cars.

He said that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however noted that security is a concern in all contemporary cars.

Our department has a collection of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a very small number.

But whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a secret level in any car, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. That’s a wise and sensible thing for anyone worried about safety.

When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”

Broader Defence Context

This announcement follows claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable public transport and bring chaos to public transit.

Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly directing lasers at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.

This broader defence environment underscores the importance of robust measures and caution in every aspects of official activities, including transport use to discussions habits.