NATO’s Baltic Sentry: Safeguarding Undersea Cables in the Baltic Sea

In response to a series of suspected sabotage incidents targeting critical undersea infrastructure, NATO has launched “Baltic Sentry,” a mission dedicated to protecting the vital network of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea region. These cables are the lifelines of global communications and financial transactions, making their security paramount.

The Backbone of Global Connectivity

Undersea cables are the backbone of global internet connectivity, carrying over 95% of internet traffic and enabling fast communication across vast distances. These fiber-optic cables, laid on the ocean floor, create an expansive network that spans continents and oceans, instantly transmitting data worldwide. Their capacity and efficiency make them indispensable for modern communication. These cables can transmit multiple terabits of data per second, supporting millions of users simultaneously using high-bandwidth services without slowdowns. Compared to satellite-based alternatives, undersea cables offer lower latency, higher bandwidth, and greater reliability.

The importance of undersea cables is further underscored by their role in critical global infrastructure. They handle an estimated $10 trillion in financial transactions daily and are essential for services like email, web browsing, video calls, streaming, cloud services, and the connectivity needed for emerging technologies like 5G networks. The global undersea cable network consists of around 485 cables spanning over 900,000 miles, forming the foundation for many essential services in our digital economy.

Major technology companies, including Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft, are heavily investing in private undersea cable networks to connect their data centers and power their cloud services. This highlights the cables’ vital role in supporting global communications and the digital economy. While satellites are helpful for connecting remote areas, they cannot match the capacity, speed, and reliability of undersea cables for bulk data transmission. As the demand for data continues to grow, undersea cables will remain the primary method for transferring large volumes of information across the globe, supporting our increasingly interconnected digital world.

Emerging Threats in the Baltic Sea

The Baltic Sea region is facing increasing threats to its critical undersea infrastructure, prompting serious concerns among NATO allies and neighboring countries.

Recent incidents have highlighted the vulnerability of submarine cables and pipelines, with multiple cases of damage raising alarm. These include the disruption of the BCS East-West Interlink and C-Lion1 fiber-optic cables in November 2024, damage to the Estlink 2 power cable and several internet cables on December 25, 2024, and the cutting of an internet cable linking Sweden and Lithuania in November 2024. Energy infrastructure has also been targeted, such as the October 2023 damage to the BalticConnector gas pipeline between Estonia and Finland.

There are growing suspicions of state actor involvement, particularly from Russia. Investigations have linked some incidents to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a group of ships with unclear ownership and activities. European officials and NATO member states have also pointed to the use of hybrid warfare tactics, where critical infrastructure is targeted to create instability. The increased activity of suspicious vessels in the Baltic Sea has added to these concerns.

Baltic Sentry: NATO’s Proactive Response

In light of these threats, NATO has initiated the Baltic Sentry mission to enhance surveillance and deterrence in the region. The operation will deploy a combination of frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, and naval drones to monitor and protect undersea infrastructure. This multifaceted approach aims to detect and prevent any malicious activities targeting these vital cables.

With improved capabilities, NATO aims to monitor and respond effectively to any acts of sabotage or destabilization. The Baltic Sea’s undersea infrastructure is critical for communication, energy transfer, and economic stability, making its protection a top priority for NATO and regional countries.

International Collaboration and Technological Innovation

The success of Baltic Sentry hinges on robust international cooperation and the integration of advanced technologies. NATO allies, including Germany and Sweden, have pledged military assets to the mission, reinforcing a united front against potential threats. Additionally, there is a concerted effort to deploy innovative surveillance solutions, such as naval drones and AI-based systems, to enhance monitoring capabilities.

Protecting undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region relies heavily on international collaboration and technological innovation. NATO and its allies are leading efforts to address emerging threats by combining cooperative strategies with advanced technology.

On the collaboration front, NATO has launched several initiatives to strengthen security.  NATO’s Maritime Command has established the Maritime Centre for the Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure, while a Critical Undersea Infrastructure Coordination Cell in Brussels helps NATO allies, partners, and private companies share information effectively. Additionally, the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) is increasing its presence in Northern Europe to counter hybrid threats, and Nordic and Baltic digitalization ministers are working together to bolster the security of underwater infrastructure.

Technology also plays a key role in these efforts. Innovative solutions like swelling nonwovens, developed by Freudenberg Performance Materials, instantly seal damaged cables when they come into contact with water, preventing moisture from causing further harm. Advanced cable insulation technologies, such as cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and Compound LDPE Natural Submarine (CLNS), are enhancing energy transmission efficiency. Emerging tools like Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) use fiber optics within subsea cables to detect pressure waves, offering new ways to monitor and protect infrastructure. NATO has also endorsed the Digital Ocean Vision Initiative, which aims to boost maritime awareness from the seabed to space.

By combining international cooperation with cutting-edge technology, NATO and its allies are taking significant steps to secure critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, addressing the complex challenges of sabotage and hybrid warfare.

Legal and Strategic Implications

The incidents in the Baltic Sea have prompted discussions about the legal frameworks governing maritime security. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that adversaries must understand that attacks on critical infrastructure will not be tolerated, underscoring the alliance’s commitment to defending its members’ interests. Furthermore, there is an ongoing exploration of new legal measures to address the challenges posed by suspicious vessels operating in international waters.

The Road Ahead: Ensuring Resilience

While Baltic Sentry represents a significant step toward securing undersea infrastructure, the dynamic nature of hybrid warfare necessitates continuous vigilance. NATO’s strategy includes not only immediate protective measures but also long-term initiatives to bolster the resilience of critical infrastructure. This comprehensive approach aims to mitigate the risks posed by both state and non-state actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in the maritime domain.

Conclusion

The launch of Baltic Sentry underscores NATO’s recognition of the strategic importance of undersea cables and the need to protect them from emerging threats. Through enhanced surveillance, international collaboration, and technological innovation, the alliance is taking proactive measures to safeguard the lifelines of global communication and commerce in the Baltic Sea region.