A defence minister has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is currently examining the possible threats associated with Chinese-made vehicles, and staff have been instructed to avoid discussing classified matters in all vehicles.
Security Guidance for MoD Personnel
In a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD officials have been instructed not to discuss classified material while travelling in Chinese vehicles.
He stated that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its fleets, but noted that security is a concern in all contemporary cars.
We have a fleet of thousands of cars in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a very small number.
However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence technology into their car, to avoid having conversations at a classified classification in any kind of car, because of the increasing risks of eavesdropping that are present in every single vehicle, to only have those confidential conversations in protected areas. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone worried about safety.
After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”
Broader Defence Background
This revelation comes as claims from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the presence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made electric buses, which could enable China to disable buses and cause chaos to public transit.
Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining laser beams at RAF pilots, described as a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.
This wider security environment underscores the importance of robust measures and vigilance in all aspects of official activities, including transport use to communication habits.
