An defense official has confirmed that the MoD is currently investigating the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made vehicles, while staff have been instructed to avoid talking about classified information in all vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recently aired interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard addressed claims that MoD staff have been told not to discuss classified information while travelling in China-made vehicles.
The minister explained that the MoD is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however noted that safety is a concern in every modern vehicles.
We have a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones account for a very small number.
However regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a secret level in any vehicle, due to the growing threats of surveillance that exist in all vehicle, to restrict those secret talks in secure locations. This is a wise and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.
When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: That is precisely what we are looking into at the moment.”
Wider Defence Background
The revelation follows claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable China to disable public transport and cause chaos to transport systems.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF pilots, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.
This broader defence situation underscores the importance of strong measures and caution in every aspects of government activities, including transport usage to communication practices.
