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An defense minister has revealed that the MoD is actively examining the potential security risks associated with Chinese vehicles, while staff have been instructed to avoid discussing secret matters in all vehicles.

Security Guidance for MoD Personnel

During a recent appearance on LBC, a defence minister addressed claims that Ministry of Defence staff have been told not to talk about secret information while travelling in Chinese cars.

The minister stated that the ministry is “investigating” Chinese vehicles within its fleets, however stressed that safety is a concern in every contemporary cars.

We have a fleet of tens of thousands of vehicles in the Ministry of Defence and Chinese ones account for a very small number.

But regardless of if you’re driving a Chinese car or a non-Chinese car, what we’ve asked our staff is to avoid connecting MoD technology into their car, not to have conversations at a secret level in any vehicle, because of the growing risks of surveillance that exist in every single vehicle, to only have those secret talks in protected areas. This is a wise and reasonable thing for everyone concerned about security.

After it was suggested that it would be prudent for the ministry to cease using all Chinese vehicles, the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what we are looking into at the moment.”

Broader Security Background

The announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the presence of dual-use kill switches in Chinese electric buses, which could allow China to switch off buses and bring chaos to transport systems.

Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force pilots, labeled a “highly dangerous” act by government representatives.

The wider defence situation underscores the significance of robust measures and caution in every aspects of official activities, from transport usage to communication practices.