🔗 Share this article

A defence official has revealed that the MoD is actively examining the potential security risks posed by Chinese cars, while staff have been told to refrain from discussing secret information in any vehicles.

Security Guidance for Defence Staff

During a recently aired appearance on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that MoD staff have been told not to talk about secret information while travelling in Chinese cars.

He said that the ministry is “examining” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however stressed that security is a issue in all modern cars.

We have a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.

But whether you’re driving a Chinese car or a car from another country, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a classified level in any kind of car, due to the increasing threats of surveillance that are present in every single automobile, to restrict those secret talks in protected areas. That’s a prudent and sensible thing for anyone worried about safety.

When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the present time.”

Broader Defence Background

This revelation comes as reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow China to switch off public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.

Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at RAF pilots, described as a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.

This broader security environment underscores the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in every areas of official operations, from transport usage to discussions habits.