🔗 Share this article

A defense official has revealed that the MoD is currently investigating the possible threats posed by Chinese vehicles, and staff have been told to avoid talking about classified matters in all cars.

Safety Guidance for MoD Staff

During a recently aired appearance on LBC, a defence minister addressed reports that MoD officials have been instructed not to talk about secret information while travelling in Chinese vehicles.

The minister stated that the ministry is “examining” Chinese vehicles within its vehicle pools, however noted that security is a concern in every contemporary vehicles.

We have a fleet of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and Chinese ones represent a very small number.

But whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is not to plug Ministry of Defence devices into their vehicle, not to have conversations at a classified level in any kind of car, because of the increasing threats of eavesdropping that are present in every single vehicle, to only have those confidential conversations in secure locations. That’s a prudent and reasonable thing for anyone worried about security.

After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, Pollard replied: That is precisely what we are looking into at the present time.”

Wider Defence Context

The revelation comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have warned the UK to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and cause disruption to transport systems.

Furthermore, a Russian intelligence vessel has been directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.

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