Government Official Says Ministry of Defence Investigating Potential Threat from Vehicles from China, as Personnel Advised to Avoid Confidential Discussions in Vehicles.
An defense minister has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is actively investigating the possible threats posed by Chinese cars, while staff have been told to avoid discussing secret information in any vehicles.
Security Advice for Defence Staff
During a recent interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to talk about classified material while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister explained that the ministry is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but noted that security is a concern in all modern cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, not to have discussions at a classified level in any vehicle, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. That’s a wise and sensible thing for everyone concerned about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, the minister replied: That is precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
This announcement comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable China to switch off buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
The wider security environment underscores the significance of robust protocols and caution in all aspects of government activities, from vehicle use to discussions habits.
