NATO Will Deploy 10 Ships To Protect Undersea Cables Around Finland

Neighborhood Watch Finland NATO will deploy around 10 ships to guard critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea this week, in response to recent damage to power and telecommunications cables that has heightened fears of sabotage in the strategically vital region, Newsweek reported. The vessels will remain in the area until April and will be stationed near energy and data cables to deter potential sabotage. The deployment comes after a series of incidents that saw a number of cables and pipelines damaged in recent months. These include disruptions to the Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia last month, as well as damage to two undersea cables – one linking Finland to Germany (C-Lion 1) and another connecting Lithuania to Sweden – in November. Finnish authorities are investigating the Russian oil tanker “Eagle S,” which allegedly dragged its anchor over the cables, leaving visible marks on the seabed, Politico added. Police recovered an anchor from the Gulf of Finland this week and detained the vessel for further investigation. The Baltic Sea, often referred to as a “NATO lake,” has become a focal point for geopolitical tension following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The region is known for its critical infrastructure and proximity to Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave. Earlier disruptions targeted a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia in October, as well as the Nord Stream pipelines linking Russia and Germany in 2022. Observers and NATO officials have warned that these undersea cables are vulnerable targets in hybrid warfare, Around 99 percent of the world’s data flows through undersea cables, which are critical for Internet services, communications, and economic activity. The British-led Joint Expeditionary Force, comprising Nordic and Baltic nations, will use artificial intelligence to monitor suspicious vessel activity, including Russia’s “shadow fleet.” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte vowed to enhance military presence in the Baltic, calling the incidents “deeply concerning.” Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen welcomed the strengthened NATO and regional collaboration, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding vital infrastructure.