NATO has decided to establish a center for the protection of critical underwater infrastructure at its naval headquarters in Northwood, UK. The center will be responsible for safeguarding pipelines and internet cables in the Atlantic, North and Baltic Seas, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. Its main objective is to improve situational awareness and enhance defense and deterrence capabilities at sea. This decision comes in the wake of alleged acts of sabotage against the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea in September.
The blasts against the Nord Stream pipelines highlighted the vulnerability of underwater infrastructure and served as a wake-up call for NATO. Former German three-star general Hans-Werner Wiermann suggested that the alliance needed to shift its focus to protecting these critical lines beneath the sea. The head of NATO’s coordination cell for the area confirmed that Russian ships had been actively mapping the underwater infrastructure. This has raised concerns about the possibility of Russia targeting submarine cables and other critical infrastructure in order to disrupt public life in the West.
To address these concerns, NATO aims to improve its ability to detect suspicious behavior in real time and take preventive measures. Patrol boats will be immediately dispatched to areas where suspicious activities are observed. However, the legality of stopping ships in international waters is controversial. Nevertheless, the visible presence and readiness of NATO forces may deter Russia from engaging in visible and attributable attacks.
Several European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, have called for NATO to secure data and gas lines in the seas. The EU Commission has also presented a plan to protect critical infrastructure, stressing the need to identify weak points and enhance responsiveness within the existing Civil Protection Mechanism. Satellite surveillance will be used to detect potential threats, and coordination with NATO will be strengthened through a joint structured dialogue and the establishment of a task force.
Overall, the establishment of the center for the protection of critical underwater infrastructure demonstrates NATO’s commitment to safeguarding pipelines and internet cables in key strategic areas. By improving situational awareness and enhancing defense capabilities, NATO aims to deter potential attacks and ensure the integrity of critical infrastructure.
