Government Official Says MoD Examining Potential Threat from Vehicles from China, as Personnel Told to Refrain from Confidential Discussions in Cars.
An defence official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is actively examining the potential threats posed by Chinese vehicles, and staff have been advised to refrain from discussing secret matters in any vehicles.
Security Advice for MoD Staff
During a recent interview on LBC, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD officials have been told not to talk about secret information while travelling in China-made cars.
The minister said that the MoD is “looking into” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however stressed that safety is a concern in every modern cars.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a classified classification in any kind of vehicle, due to the growing threats of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a wise and sensible thing for everyone concerned about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: That is precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
The revelation comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made buses, which could allow the Chinese government to disable buses and bring disruption to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
The broader security situation highlights the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in every areas of official activities, including vehicle use to discussions practices.