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An defense official has stated that the MoD is actively examining the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, while staff have been told to avoid discussing classified information in any vehicles.

Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel

During a recently aired appearance on LBC, a defence minister commented on claims that MoD officials have been instructed not to talk about classified information while riding in China-made vehicles.

He explained that the MoD is “looking into” cars from China within its fleets, but noted that safety is a issue in every contemporary cars.

We have a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a very small number.

But whether you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a car from another country, our instruction to our staff is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, to avoid having conversations at a secret classification in any car, due to the increasing risks of surveillance that are present in every single automobile, to only have those confidential talks in protected areas. That’s a wise and sensible thing for anyone worried about safety.

When it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using all cars from China, Pollard replied: ‘That’s precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”

Wider Security Background

The revelation follows claims from Scandinavian countries have warned the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.

Furthermore, a Russian spy ship has been shining laser beams at RAF pilots, described as a “extremely risky” action by defence officials.

This broader security situation underscores the significance of robust measures and vigilance in all aspects of official activities, from transport use to communication practices.