Russian harm to underwater cables could be 'act of war', UK defence chief warns
Russia's underwater operations are focused on exploiting the world's communication and information systems, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin has warned
A Russian attempt to damage underwater cables that are crucial to communication systems around the world might be considered an "act of war", the UK's recently appointed head of the armed forces has warned.
Speaking to The Times in his first interview since assuming the role, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said the undersea cables that transmit internet data are "the world's real information system," adding that Russia's ongoing underwater operations have placed this system under threat.
Sir Tony - who has formerly served as the head of the Navy - was appointed chief of the defence staff in October. He says Russian submarine and underwater operations have surged over the last 20 years.
Russia's underwater programme is about "more than...submarines," according to Sir Tony. It is actually about being able to "put at risk and potentially exploit the world's real information system."
In December 2020, a collision between HMS Northumberland and a Russian submarine in the north Atlantic aroused widespread suspicion about the scope of Russian cable-mapping activity. Footage of the incident was recently released by a documentary crew from Channel 5 working on a television series called Warship: Life At Sea.
The Royal Navy has been tracking Russian submarine activity and their cable-mapping activities since the collision. Russia has developed the capability to jeopardise and potentially exploit underwater cables, according to Sir Tony.
Para bellum
The new chief of defence staff had more to say about Russia's activities on the world stage, specifically calling our the ongoing tensions on the border between Ukraine and Russia as "deeply worrying." He has given ministers "military choices" should an invasion take place.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace previously said it would be "highly unlikely" for the UK would send troops if Russia invades Ukraine, while The Times reported that cyber attacks "could be an option."
Wallace outlined the 2030 vision for the country's armed forces last year, as part of the government's plan to further modernise and upgrade military capabilities. The plan seeks to ensure British forces are prepared for new and emerging threats, which are no longer limited to the physical world.
The Defence Department will spend more than £85 billion on equipment between 2021 and 2025, intending to help the armed forces 'adapt, compete effectively, and fight decisively when needed'. This will support about 400,000 jobs across the UK.
The British Army will also receive an additional £3 billion to spend on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), long-range rocket systems, new vehicles, air defence systems, cyber capabilities and electronic warfare.