UK Parliament launches risk inquiry into subsea internet cables
After Russian research vessel was spotted in British waters
Parliament has launched an inquiry into the UK’s preparedness to defend the internet cables linking it to the rest of the world.
The Joint Committee on National Security Strategy, comprising members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, has launched an investigation into the vulnerability of the UK's undersea internet cables amid rising concerns over potential sabotage by hostile states, including Russia and China.
The inquiry will evaluate the UK's preparedness to safeguard its critical subsea communications infrastructure, which serves as a backbone for global connectivity.
The initiative follows Defence Secretary John Healey's recent warning in Parliamentabout escalating threats to the UK’s underwater infrastructure.
Healey cited the presence of a Russian research vessel, Yantar, in British waters, describing its activities as intelligence-gathering and mapping of the UK’s subsea oil, gas, electricity and internet cables.
Addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin, Healey declared, "We see you, we know what you are doing, and we will take robust action to defend this country."
Unconventional target methods
As geopolitical tensions rise, adversarial states are increasingly targeting unconventional methods to compromise security.
The UK's subsea cable network, through which 99% of the nation’s data flows, represents a significant point of vulnerability.
The cable network is a tempting target due to its strategic importance. While there is a reasonable level of resilience and growing awareness of these risks, vigilance is essential to mitigate the potential consequences of an attack.
The global internet relies on a network of approximately 500 undersea cables, which transmit 95% of internet traffic. These cables, often located in remote and unprotected areas, are challenging and costly to monitor.
The UK depends on around 60 such cables, providing some redundancy in case of isolated damage. However, simultaneous attacks on multiple cables could cause significant disruptions.
Warning of severe disruptions to essential services
The UK’s 2025 National Risk Register outlines the potential repercussions of losing key transatlantic subsea connections. It warns of severe disruptions to essential services, including financial operations that rely on offshore data centres. Recent incidents in Northern Europe, such as the severing of cables linking Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Shetland Islands, have highlighted the reality of these risks.
In one high-profile case on 25th December 2024, a Russian-affiliated oil tanker, Eagle S, dragged its anchor for 60 miles in the Baltic Sea – a favourite target of Russian terrorism – damaging the Estlink-2 power cable between Finland and Estonia and several data cables. The tanker was subsequently impounded by Finnish authorities.
To counter these threats, the UK and its allies have launched Operation Nordic Warden, a collaborative effort to monitor subsea infrastructure and track suspicious activity by vessels linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” The operation will leverage artificial intelligence to analyse ship movements and identify risks to critical infrastructure.
Earlier this month NATO launched Operation Baltic Sentry, also aimed at protecting subsea cables. Today, Sweden seized a Malta-flagged ship over the “aggravated sabotage” of an undersea fibre-optic cable linking Latvia with Sweden’s island of Gotland.
The UK’s new inquiry will examine the country’s capacity to protect undersea cables, explore options to enhance deterrence, and evaluate strategies to mitigate the impact of potential disruptions. The committee has invited evidence submissions by 6th March.