Minister States MoD Looking at Potential Threat from Chinese Cars, as Personnel Instructed to Avoid Secret Talk in Vehicles.

A defense minister has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is currently examining the potential security risks posed by Chinese vehicles, while personnel have been told to refrain from talking about secret information in all vehicles.

Safety Advice for Defence Personnel

During a recent interview on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been instructed not to talk about secret information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.

The minister explained that the MoD is “examining” cars from China within its fleets, but stressed that security is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.

Our department has a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.

But regardless of if you’re traveling in a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their car, not to have discussions at a classified level in any kind of car, due to the increasing threats of surveillance that are present in all vehicle, to restrict those confidential conversations in protected areas. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for anyone worried about safety.

After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to cease using every cars from China, the minister replied: That is exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”

Broader Security Background

The announcement follows reports from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and cause chaos to public transit.

Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel was reportedly directing laser beams at RAF aircrew, described as a “extremely risky” act by defence officials.

This broader security situation underscores the significance of strong protocols and vigilance in all areas of official operations, including transport usage to communication habits.