A defense official has revealed that the MoD is currently examining the potential threats associated with Chinese vehicles, and personnel have been told to avoid talking about secret matters in all cars.
Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recent appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to talk about secret material while riding in Chinese vehicles.
He explained that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however stressed that safety is a concern in every modern vehicles.
Our department has a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles account for a tiny fraction.
But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting MoD devices into their vehicle, not to have discussions at a classified classification in any kind of car, because of the growing threats of surveillance that are present in every single automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone worried about security.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”
Wider Defence Background
This revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the UK to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to disable buses and bring disruption to transport systems.
Furthermore, a Russia intelligence vessel has been shining laser beams at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.
The wider security situation highlights the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in all aspects of official activities, from transport use to discussions habits.
