🔗 Share this article

An defense minister has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is actively looking into the potential security risks associated with Chinese vehicles, while staff have been told to avoid discussing classified information in any cars.

Security Advice for MoD Staff

During a recent appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD officials have been told not to discuss classified material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.

The minister said that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, but emphasised that security is a issue in every modern vehicles.

Our department has a collection of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones represent 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 MoD technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, due to the increasing risks of surveillance that exist in all automobile, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a wise and sensible thing for anyone concerned about security.

When it was put to him that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”

Wider Defence Background

The revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese-made electric buses, which could allow China to switch off public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.

Additionally, a Russia spy ship was reportedly directing laser beams at Royal Air Force aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.

This wider defence environment highlights the importance of robust measures and caution in every aspects of official activities, including transport usage to discussions habits.