China-Linked Vehicle Crisis in Norwegian Home Guard Exercise
It was discovered that rented Chinese-branded vehicles used in a Norwegian military exercise recorded the movements and security codes of soldiers.
It was determined that rental vehicles used by Home Guard soldiers in Norway during an exercise in September recorded the images, routes, and security codes of the soldiers.
Recordings Noticed During the Exercise
Norwegian Home Guard soldiers noticed that their images were being recorded in the rental vehicles used during the Operation Hovedstad exercise held in September.
Chinese-Branded Models in the Vehicles
According to information reflected in the press, it was determined that at least two of the vehicles used during the exercise were models belonging to the Chinese automotive brand Deepal.
Sensitive Data Recorded
The footage clearly shows who entered and exited the vehicle, where the vehicle traveled, who was picked up, and how long it remained at different locations.
In addition, it was determined that security codes used at doors and gates during the exercise were recorded by the vehicle systems.
Status of Data and Supply Chain
While the recordings were deleted after the exercise, it is not yet known whether the data in question was stored in other centers.
It was stated that the ownership chain of the primary supplier of the agreement, First Rent A Car Norway, extends to the China-based Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.
Statement from Norwegian Defense
Following the developments, Norwegian Defense announced that there is no general ban in the military on the use of vehicles belonging to manufacturers from certain countries.