NATO to Send 10 Ships to Guard Underwater Infrastructure in Baltic Sea
NATO will deploy around 10 warships to guard crucial underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea by the end of the week, according to Finnish newspaper Yle. The ships will remain at sea until April and will be positioned near energy and data cables to deter any sabotage attempts.
The decision to step up NATO engagement follows a series of disruptions in the Baltic Sea in recent months, including a broken power cable between Finland and Estonia, and four telecommunications cables during Christmas.
Finland is currently investigating the oil tanker Eagle S, part of Moscow’s “shadow fleet” sanctions-busting flotilla, which is suspected of causing the damage. Authorities found an anchor drag mark on the seabed, apparently from the Russia-linked vessel.
Estonia has also launched its own naval operation to protect the Estlink-2 power cable, which sends electricity between Finland and Estonia. The incident sparked an uproar in Europe, with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte promising to “enhance the military presence in the Baltic Sea.”
The UK-led grouping of mainly Baltic and Nordic countries that cooperate in defense, the Joint Expeditionary Force, announced Monday that it will increase monitoring of ship traffic using artificial intelligence.