NATO Sets up Cell to Protect Underwater Infrastructure

The NATO has set up a cell to protect underwater infrastructure such as pipelines and data cables from “spying” Russia, a move first suggested by Germany and Norway.

“Russia has been spying in northern waters for years in the Great Belt, the Kattegat and the North Sea,” Germany’s defense ministry said in a statement adding that it performs covert operations with civilian ships such as the ‘Admiral Vladimirsky,’ a research vessel.

“Sometimes (the operation is carried out) with, often without the usual position transmitters. The focus of the Russians is mostly on gas pipelines, offshore wind farms and undersea cables. So the nerve cords of the energy supply and communication of the West, critical undersea infrastructure par excellence,” the ministry said.

In February, the NATO Council at defense minister level announced the establishment of a coordination cell to protect critical underwater infrastructure. Former Lieutenant General Hans-Werner Wiermann, wad made the head of this cell.

NATO said it doubled its forces in the North and Baltic Seas after the attack on Nord Stream pipelines in September 2022. However, squadrons of aircraft and ships for sea surveillance cannot be the Alliance's sole response to espionage activities. In view of the huge area, it is impossible to monitor every meter of data cable or pipeline around the clock. Rather, the intention is monitoring to be designed so densely through various sensors that an attack on the infrastructure can be detected by a possible attacker.

“When submarine cables have been laid thousands of meters deep, it has been technically difficult up until now to clearly name someone responsible. And that has an inviting effect on potential opponents in the context of hybrid warfare," says Wiermann. This can cause serious damage if necessary. "But if it is clear who is responsible for an attack, that has a deterrent effect…And that's what matters."

Until the NATO summit in Vilnius in July, the former three-star general intends to continue working flat out to convince all partners in the alliance to bring a suitable concept through the North Atlantic Council. "If we succeed in setting the course in Lithuania, we can start implementing it immediately afterwards. It won't be a walk in the park, but there is no alternative."