A defence minister has confirmed that the MoD is currently looking into the potential security risks associated with Chinese cars, and personnel have been advised to refrain from talking about classified matters in any cars.
Safety Advice for MoD Staff
In a recent interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to talk about secret information while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister stated that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however emphasised that safety is a issue in all contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any vehicle, because of the growing threats of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
The revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
This broader defence environment highlights the importance of strong measures and vigilance in all aspects of official activities, from transport use to discussions habits.
