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A defence official has stated that the MoD is currently examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese-made cars, and staff have been told to avoid discussing secret matters in any vehicles.

Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel

In a recent interview on a radio station, Luke Pollard commented on reports that Ministry of Defence officials have been told not to discuss secret information while travelling in China-made vehicles.

He stated that the MoD is “looking into” cars from China within its vehicle pools, however noted that safety is a concern in all modern vehicles.

We have a collection of tens of thousands of vehicles in the MoD and those vehicles represent a tiny fraction.

But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our people is not to plug MoD technology into their car, to avoid having discussions at a classified classification in any car, because of the growing risks of eavesdropping that exist in all automobile, to only have those confidential talks in protected areas. This is a prudent and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.

When it was put to him that it would be prudent for the ministry to stop using every cars from China, Pollard responded: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”

Broader 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 electric buses, which could enable the Chinese government to switch off public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.

Additionally, a Russia spy ship has been directing lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” act by defence officials.

The wider defence environment underscores the significance of robust measures and vigilance in all areas of government operations, including vehicle use to discussions habits.