Minister Confirms MoD Investigating Security Risk from Chinese Cars, with Staff Told to Avoid Confidential Discussions in Vehicles.

An defense minister has stated that the Ministry of Defence is currently examining the possible threats posed by Chinese-made cars, while staff have been advised to avoid discussing secret matters in any vehicles.

Security Advice for MoD Personnel

In a recently aired appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on claims that MoD staff have been told not to discuss classified information while travelling in China-made cars.

He explained that the MoD is “looking into” cars from China within its vehicle pools, but emphasised that security is a issue in all contemporary vehicles.

We have a fleet of tens of thousands of cars in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.

However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a car from another country, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a secret level in any kind of car, because of the increasing threats of eavesdropping that are present in all automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for everyone worried about safety.

When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”

Wider Defence Context

The announcement comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese-made buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off buses and bring disruption to public transit.

Furthermore, a Russia spy ship has been shining lasers at RAF pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.

This broader security environment underscores the significance of strong protocols and caution in all aspects of official operations, including vehicle use to discussions habits.