The European Commission unveiled a robust action plan aimed at protecting undersea cables from both sabotage and accidental damage, according to Euractiv.
The initiative comes in response to a series of alarming incidents, including recent cable breaks in the Baltic Sea, which have heightened fears of deliberate targeting by external actors as part of efforts to destabilise the European Union.
Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s executive vice president in charge of security, stated:
We want to make sure Europe is equipped not only to prevent and detect sabotage to cables but also to actively deter, repair and respond to any threat to critical infrastructure that is key to our economy and collective security.
The urgency of the situation was underscored by the announcement from Swedish authorities, who revealed they are investigating yet another cable break between Finland and Germany near the island of Gotland. The latest incident has further amplified concerns over the vulnerability of undersea cables and the potential consequences of their disruption.
The Commission’s strategy is built around four key pillars designed to enhance the resilience, detection, response, and deterrence capabilities of undersea cable networks.
Key pillars of action plan
To prevent disruptions, the EU will focus on making undersea cable networks more resilient by investing in redundancy and ensuring backup routes are in place. The move will mitigate the risk of widespread outages caused by a single cable break.
Additionally, the plan includes the deployment of “smart cables,” which will be equipped with advanced sensors to detect potential threats and accurately identify the location of any breaches. The Commission also aims to establish docking stations for underwater robots and remotely operated vehicles, enabling them to conduct seabed exploration, surveillance, and repair missions more effectively.
Improving the detection of potential threats is another critical component of the plan. The EU intends to integrate existing monitoring systems, such as data from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), which tracks ship movements, with its satellite constellations Galileo and Copernicus.
In terms of response and recovery, the Commission is urging member states to expedite the transposition of two recent pieces of EU cyber legislation—NIS2 and CER—into national law. The directives aim to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen the cyber resilience of critical sectors, including digital infrastructure.
Furthermore, the EU plans to allocate up to €400 million for the development of specialised vessels capable of repairing both telecommunications and energy cables.
These vessels are seen as essential for ensuring rapid recovery following an attack or accident, addressing a current gap in the EU’s repair capabilities that has led to significant delays in resolving cable breaks.
Finally, the Commission’s strategy includes measures to deter potential “aggressors.” This involves imposing costs on perpetrators of cable breaks, whether intentional or accidental, to discourage sabotage and poor seamanship.
Funding the initiative
The Commission has opted not to allocate new funding for the action plan. Instead, it will repurpose billions of euros from existing EU budgets, including funds dedicated to Important Projects of Common European Interests, the Connect Europe Facility, the Digital Europe Programme, and the Cohesion Fund, which is aimed at reducing economic disparities between EU regions.
The protection of undersea cables is vital to maintaining global internet connectivity, economic stability, and national security. Recent incidents in the Baltic Sea have highlighted the fragility of this infrastructure and the need for a coordinated, proactive approach to safeguarding it.
The Commission’s plan represents a significant step forward in addressing these challenges, but its success will depend on effective implementation and collaboration with international partners and the private sector.
