A defense official has stated that the MoD is currently investigating the possible threats posed by Chinese vehicles, and staff have been told to refrain from discussing secret matters in all cars.
Security Guidance for Defence Staff
In a recent appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to talk about classified information while riding in China-made vehicles.
The minister said that the ministry is “looking into” cars from China within its fleets, but noted that security is a concern in all contemporary vehicles.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
However whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a secret level in any car, because of the increasing threats of eavesdropping that are present in every single automobile, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and sensible thing for everyone concerned about security.
After it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using all cars from China, Pollard responded: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Broader Security Context
This revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow the Chinese government to switch off public transport and cause chaos to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship has been directing lasers at RAF pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
The broader defence environment underscores the significance of robust protocols and vigilance in all areas of official operations, including vehicle use to communication practices.
