A defence minister has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is currently looking into the potential security risks posed by Chinese vehicles, while personnel have been advised to refrain from talking about secret information in any vehicles.
Security Guidance for Defence Personnel
During a recently aired appearance on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to talk about secret information while travelling in China-made vehicles.
He said that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but noted that security is a issue in every modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a secret level in any kind of vehicle, due to the increasing threats of eavesdropping that exist in all automobile, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for anyone concerned about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Security Background
The revelation follows claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the existence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and cause chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing laser beams at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
This wider defence situation highlights the significance of strong measures and vigilance in every aspects of official operations, including transport use to discussions habits.
