An defence official has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is currently looking into the potential security risks associated with Chinese cars, and staff have been told to refrain from discussing classified information in any vehicles.
Safety Guidance for MoD Staff
During a recent interview on LBC, a defence minister commented on reports that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to talk about classified material while riding in Chinese cars.
He explained that the ministry is “looking into” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however emphasised that security is a issue in all contemporary vehicles.
We have a collection of tens of thousands of cars in the MoD and those vehicles account for a very small number.
However whether you’re traveling in a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug MoD devices into their car, to avoid having discussions at a secret level in any kind of car, due to the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in every single automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in secure locations. This is a prudent and sensible thing for anyone worried about safety.
When it was suggested that it would be wise for the ministry to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s precisely what we’re investigating at the moment.”
Wider Security Context
This announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms 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 laser beams at RAF aircrew, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.
This broader defence environment highlights the importance of strong protocols and caution in all aspects of official operations, from transport use to communication practices.
