Inside the race to protect submarine cables from sabotage

From the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean, a global scramble is under way to protect submarine cables vulnerable to potential sabotage.

Governments, militaries, cable owners and tech startups are taking action to bolster the defenses of the world’s underwater cable network, through which most international data traffic travels.

In Northern Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is using ships and drones to ward off possible sabotage, after a Russia-linked vessel cut vital cables in 2024. On Thursday, the UK exposed what it called a secret, month-long operation by Russian submarines carrying out “nefarious activity” over key underwater infrastructure. It warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that any damage would be met with “serious consequences.” In Asia, Taiwan is increasing coast guard patrols and penalties for damaging cables, hoping to deter would-be saboteurs. Private cable operators are looking at routes that avoid contested waters such as the South China Sea, where Chinese vessels have clashed with Philippine ships and pressed territorial claims.

Read more at Wall Street Journal