A defense official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is currently investigating the potential threats posed by Chinese-made cars, while personnel have been instructed to avoid discussing secret information in all cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recently aired appearance on LBC, a defence minister addressed reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to discuss classified material while riding in Chinese vehicles.
The minister said that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but noted that safety is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a secret classification in any kind of vehicle, due to the growing threats of surveillance that are present in every single automobile, to restrict those secret conversations in protected areas. This is a wise and reasonable thing for everyone worried about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Broader Security Background
The announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow China to switch off public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian spy ship has been directing laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This wider security situation highlights the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in all areas of official activities, from transport usage to communication practices.
