Government Official Confirms MoD Examining Security Risk from Chinese Cars, as Personnel Instructed to Avoid Secret Talk in Cars.

A defense minister has revealed that the MoD is actively looking into the potential threats posed by Chinese vehicles, while personnel have been instructed to avoid talking about classified information in all cars.

Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel

During a recently aired appearance on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to discuss secret material while travelling in China-made cars.

He stated that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however noted that safety is a issue in every modern cars.

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

However whether you’re driving 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 secret level in any kind of vehicle, because of the increasing threats of eavesdropping that exist in every single vehicle, to only have those confidential talks in protected areas. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about safety.

After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using all cars from China, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we’re investigating at the moment.”

Wider Security Context

This revelation comes as reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the UK to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and bring chaos to transport systems.

Additionally, a Russia spy ship has been shining laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.

This broader security situation underscores the importance of robust measures and caution in all areas of official operations, from vehicle usage to communication practices.