A defense official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is actively looking into the possible security risks posed by Chinese cars, while personnel have been advised to avoid discussing secret matters in all vehicles.
Security Advice for MoD Personnel
During a recent interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD officials have been told not to discuss classified material while travelling in Chinese cars.
The minister stated that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but noted that safety is a issue in all modern cars.
Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD 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 staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, not to have discussions at a classified classification in any vehicle, because of the growing risks of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those secret talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Security Background
The announcement follows reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow China to disable public transport and bring chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship was reportedly shining laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
The broader defence situation underscores the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in every areas of government activities, from vehicle usage to discussions habits.
