The Baltic Sea region is on alert after a series of mysterious cases of cables severed in the Baltic Sea, blamed by Western officials on Russian sabotage. The European Commission on Friday called for the development of “new and smart cables” as it outlined its plan to protect undersea critical infrastructure following multiple acts of sabotage on submarine cables in the Baltic Sea.
The EU called for the development and funding of “new and smart cables” that are better able to withstand attacks, to increase repair capacity to ensure swift repair of damaged cables, and to enhance threat-monitoring capabilities per sea basin, such as the Mediterranean or the Baltic Seas in order to build a “comprehensive situational picture.”
The key measures also include enforcing sanctions and diplomatic measures against hostile actors and the so-called shadow fleet, making full use of the Hybrid Toolbox to address hybrid campaigns. This also includes fostering “cable diplomacy” with global partners.
The plan is built on four pillars – prevention, detection, response and recovery, and deterrence.
When it comes to deterrence, the Commission emphasised that sanctions and diplomatic measures should be part of the arsenal.
By the end of 2025, the Commission and the High Representative are expected to present, amongst other actions, the mapping of existing and planned submarine cable infrastructures, a coordinated risk assessment on submarine cables, a cable security toolbox of mitigating measures and a priority list of cable projects of European interest.
These strategic actions complement NATO’s existing activities and the ongoing work by the Submarine Cable Infrastructure Expert Group, composed of Member States and the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA).
Henna Virkkunen, executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, said: “In response to growing geopolitical tensions, particularly in regions such as the Baltic Sea, the European Commission is taking decisive action to safeguard our critical submarine cable infrastructure. With this Action Plan, we are taking a significant step forward to strengthen their security.”
Communication cables connect several member states to one another, link islands to the EU mainland, and connect the EU to the rest of the world, carrying 99% of inter-continental internet traffic.
Subsea electricity cables facilitate the integration of member states’ electricity markets, strengthen their security of supply, and deliver offshore renewable energy to the mainland.
However, in recent weeks and months, submarine cables incidents have risked causing severe disruptions in essential functions and services in the EU, impacting the daily lives of EU citizens.
The European Commission believes that this initiative responds directly to these threats.
