European Commission launches action plan to protect vital undersea cables
05/03/2025
The European Commission is launching a new action plan to protect vulnerable undersea cables.
Undersea fibre-optic cables are the ‘backbone’ of the world’s internet system, underpinning global commerce and communications. Over 500 cables carry around 95% of all international data, with demand set to increase in coming years.
The Commission's announcement came just hours before Swedish authorities revealed they were looking into yet another cable break between Finland and Germany near the Swedish island of Gotland.
Recent incidents in the Baltic Sea have raised the alarm in the EU, increasing fears Russia may be targeting this vital infrastructure. Over 50 Russian vessels have been observed around areas of high cable density in the Baltic Sea.
Kaja Kallas, Commission High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, said, “Today, no realm of life is free from threats or hostile behaviour. Recent attacks against underwater cables underline this clearly. This is vital infrastructure that keeps us connected online and our energy flowing, not just between EU member states but between Europe and many other regions across the world.
“We should mobilise all our strengths, military and civil capacities to ensure surveillance and attribute attacks quicker, sanctioning those responsible of sabotage. Would-be perpetrators must also be deterred.”
The EU's new plan is built around four key areas to strengthen cable security:
Prevention: To reduce breakages, the EU will invest in making undersea cable networks more resilient, deploy "smart cables “with sensors to detect potential threats and establish docking stations allowing underwater robots and remotely operated vehicles to explore the seabed and conduct repairs and surveillance missions.
Detection: Improve its ability to detect and respond to potential threats by integrating existing monitoring systems. Data from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), which tracks ship movements, would be brought together with EU's satellite constellations Galileo and Copernicus.
Response and recovery: Finish transposing into national law two recent pieces of EU cyber legislation, NIS2 and CER, to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen the cyber resilience of critical sectors. Spend up to €400 million on specialised vessels capable of repairing damaged cables.
Deterrence: Impose costs on perpetrators of cable breaks, whether intentional or unintentional, to deter sabotage and poor seamanship. Uphold sanctions against Russia's illegal 'shadow fleet' and foster a "cable diplomacy" with "like-minded partners."
To finance the plans, the Commission will use billions of euros from the already approved EU budget, repurposing the budget dedicated to Important Projects of Common European Interests and several other EU funds.
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