Minister States Ministry of Defence Looking at Potential Threat from Chinese Cars, with Personnel Advised to Avoid Confidential Discussions in Cars.
An defence official has confirmed that the MoD is currently examining the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, and personnel have been told to refrain from discussing secret matters in any cars.
Safety Advice for Defence Staff
During a recently aired interview on LBC, a defence minister addressed claims that MoD staff have been told not to discuss classified material while riding in Chinese cars.
He explained that the ministry is “looking into” cars from China within its fleets, however noted that safety is a issue in every contemporary cars.
Our department has a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.
However regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified classification in any kind of car, due to the increasing threats of surveillance that are present in all vehicle, to only have those secret talks in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone concerned about safety.
After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using every Chinese vehicles, the minister responded: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
The revelation comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the presence of multi-purpose shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to disable buses and cause disruption to public transit.
Furthermore, a Russian spy ship has been shining lasers at RAF aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by government representatives.
The wider defence environment highlights the importance of strong measures and vigilance in all aspects of government operations, from vehicle use to discussions habits.