The Stakes: Why Undersea Cables Matter
- Global Communication: These cables carry 99% of international data, enabling everything from financial transactions to government communications.
- Economic Lifeline: Damaging these cables can disrupt trillions of dollars in daily transactions, impacting economies and businesses globally.
- Military and Security Concerns: Undersea cables are vital for military communication, making them high-value targets in hybrid warfare strategies.
Recent Incidents and Their Implications
Baltic Sea
- October 2023: The Hong Kong-registered containership Newnew Polar Bear dragged its anchor across the seabed, damaging the Balticconnector natural gas pipeline and data cables in the Gulf of Finland. The ship fled toward Russia, evading investigation.
- December 2024: A power cable between Finland and Estonia was severed, and suspicion fell on a Russian “shadow fleet” tanker, the Eagle S. Finnish authorities found specialized surveillance equipment on board, allegedly used to monitor naval activity.
Taiwan Strait
- February 2023: Two undersea cables connecting Taiwan to the Matsu Islands were severed by a Chinese fishing boat and cargo vessel, leaving the island without internet for weeks.
- January 2025: The freighter Shunxin-39 severed a cable off Taiwan’s northern coast. Although the ship escaped investigation, Taiwan suspects deliberate sabotage. Herming Chiueh, Deputy Head of Taiwan’s Digital Ministry, said the cable-cutting was likely intentional: “You need to accidentally [drop your] anchor on the cable, and then you need to accidentally turn on your engine with the anchor down, and even [if] you realize your anchor is down, you need to keep the engine moving until you cut the cable.”
Red Sea
- Houthi rebels were suspected of damaging cables belonging to four major telecom networks, though the group denied involvement.
The Strategic Significance of Undersea Infrastructure
- Economic Importance: These cables carry trillions of dollars in financial transactions daily. Disruptions can cripple economies, hinder communication, and destabilize global markets.
- Military Implications: Reliable undersea communications are vital for military operations and coordination. Sabotage could cripple responses during crises, delaying information flow and strategic decisions.
- Geopolitical Pressures: Russia and China employ unorthodox tactics to assert dominance and destabilize their adversaries.
U.S. Navy and Allied Responses
- Enhanced Patrols: NATO and allied nations are increasing naval presence in the Baltic and other regions to monitor suspicious activity.
- Technological Investments: AI-driven systems and underwater sensors are being deployed to detect and deter sabotage.
- Policy and Collaboration: Strengthened international legal frameworks and collaborative efforts among allies are essential for defending undersea infrastructure.
The Way Forward
- Mitigating Risks: Building redundant systems, deploying advanced monitoring technologies, and fostering public-private partnerships are key steps to reduce vulnerabilities.
- A Call for Action: Safeguarding undersea cables requires prioritization at the highest levels of government and international collaboration to counter hybrid threats.
Undersea cables, often taken for granted, are critical to the global economy, security, and military operations. The recent spate of incidents underscores the need for vigilance, innovation, and collaboration. For the U.S. and its allies, safeguarding these invisible lifelines is not just a technical challenge—it’s a strategic imperative.