Minister Confirms Ministry of Defence Examining Potential Threat from Vehicles from China, as Staff Told to Refrain from Secret Talk in Vehicles.

An defense official has confirmed that the MoD is currently investigating the possible security risks posed by Chinese-made cars, while staff have been advised to refrain from talking about secret matters in all vehicles.

Safety Guidance for MoD Personnel

During a recently aired interview on LBC, Luke Pollard addressed reports that MoD staff have been instructed not to talk about classified information while riding in Chinese cars.

The minister explained that the ministry is “investigating” cars from China within its fleets, however stressed that security is a concern in every modern cars.

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

But whether you’re driving a vehicle from China or a non-Chinese car, our instruction to our staff is not to plug Ministry of Defence technology into their vehicle, to avoid having conversations at a classified level in any kind of vehicle, because of the increasing threats of surveillance that are present in every single vehicle, to only have those secret conversations in secure locations. That’s a wise and reasonable thing for everyone worried about safety.

After it was put to him that it would be prudent for the MoD to stop using every cars from China, Pollard replied: That is precisely what we’re investigating at the present time.”

Wider Defence Context

This announcement comes as claims from Norway and Denmark have alerted the United Kingdom to the existence of dual-use shutdown mechanisms in Chinese electric buses, which could enable China to switch off public transport and bring disruption to transport systems.

Additionally, a Russian intelligence vessel has been shining lasers at Royal Air Force aircrew, described as a “highly dangerous” action by defence officials.

This broader defence situation underscores the significance of robust protocols and caution in every areas of official operations, including vehicle usage to discussions practices.