Minister States Ministry of Defence Examining Security Risk from Vehicles from China, as Staff Instructed to Avoid Confidential Discussions in Cars.
A defence official has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is actively looking into the potential threats associated with Chinese-made vehicles, and personnel have been told to avoid discussing classified matters in any vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recently aired interview on LBC, a defence minister addressed reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to discuss secret material while travelling in China-made cars.
He explained that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however stressed that security is a issue in every contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a tiny fraction.
However regardless of if you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a secret level in any kind of vehicle, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single vehicle, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about safety.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using all cars from China, the minister responded: That is exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Security Background
The revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly shining laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.
The wider security situation underscores the significance of strong measures and vigilance in all aspects of government activities, from transport use to discussions habits.
