Minister Confirms MoD Investigating Potential Threat from Vehicles from China, with Staff Instructed to Refrain from Secret Talk in Cars.

An defence minister has stated that the MoD is currently investigating the potential security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, while staff have been instructed to refrain from talking about classified information in all cars.

Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel

In a recent interview on a radio station, a defence minister addressed claims that Ministry of Defence officials have been instructed not to talk about classified information while riding in Chinese cars.

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

Our department has a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and those vehicles represent a very small number.

However whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our people is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their vehicle, to avoid having discussions at a secret level in any kind of vehicle, due to the growing threats of surveillance that are present in all automobile, to restrict those confidential talks in protected areas. This is a wise and reasonable thing for anyone concerned about safety.

After it was put to him that it would be wise for the MoD to stop using every Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”

Broader Defence Context

This revelation follows reports from Scandinavian countries have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of multi-purpose kill switches in Chinese-made buses, which could enable the Chinese government to disable buses and cause disruption to transport systems.

Additionally, a Russia intelligence vessel was reportedly shining lasers at RAF aircrew, labeled a “extremely risky” action by government representatives.

The wider defence situation underscores the significance of robust measures and vigilance in every aspects of government operations, including vehicle usage to discussions practices.