Brussels – In response to a significant uptick in suspicious incidents affecting undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region, the European Commission has unveiled a multifaceted Action Plan for the Security and Resilience of Undersea Cables in Helsinki, Finland.

This initiative aims to bolster the protection of critical undersea communication and power cables that facilitate intercontinental internet connectivity and energy integration across the European Union.

During a press conference, Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen underscored the urgency of the situation, stating, "Almost anything can be used as a weapon against us," highlighting various threats including cyberattacks and the potential sabotage of vital infrastructure.

Undersea cables, which carry 99 percent of intercontinental internet traffic, have become increasingly vulnerable, prompting the EU to implement swift measures.

The commission emphasized that the action plan addresses concerns across all European seas, not just the Baltic.

The proposed strategy comprises four primary phases: Prevention, Detection, Response and Recovery, and Deterrence.

Initially, the focus will be on enhancing safety protocols and conducting thorough risk assessments, while simultaneously allocating significant financial resources for the deployment of advanced optical cables—540 million euros, approximately half a billion dollars, is earmarked for this initiative over the coming years.

To strengthen detection capabilities, the plan includes the establishment of an integrated surveillance mechanism across European waters, employing both civilian and military assets to share information and real-time satellite imagery.

Furthermore, the plan proposes the installation of a network of underwater sensors and the utilization of dual-use drones, which operate underwater, on the surface, and in the air.

The commission acknowledged a critical challenge stemming from recent incidents of alleged sabotage; the management of marine infrastructure is frequently delegated to private entities.

To address this, Virkkunen emphasized the necessity for effective public-private partnerships to ensure robust oversight and rapid response capabilities.

In the event of underwater cable damage, even in remote locations, the action plan includes the establishment of an EU reserve fleet composed of multipurpose cable-laying vessels to expedite repairs.

This fleet will also ensure the availability of essential spare parts and technology, reinforcing the region's capacity for prompt operational responses.

The deterrence aspect of the plan falls under the purview of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and its High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas.

The EU expressly targets what is perceived as Russia’s shadow fleet, which is widely believed to be linked to incidents of sabotage and the evasion of sanctions against Moscow.

Currently, 79 vessels face restrictive measures, with 73 additional vessels expected to be added to this list following the adoption of the sixteenth sanctions package against Russia.

Officials stress the imperative of increasing the consequences for those implicated in sabotage activities.

They have recognized the necessity to clarify legal frameworks pertaining to maritime law to prevent loopholes that could be exploited in freedom of navigation.

The Commission plans to convene legal experts to explore the optimal utilization of existing international legal frameworks while also assessing potential avenues for concrete action without necessitating new funding.

European sources clarified that the initiative will not involve additional budget allocations but will focus on redirecting existing resources toward these critical safety measures.