AI‑driven vigilance: Safeguarding Baltic cables from threats
The countries of Northern Europe, as part of the Joint Expeditionary Force, have enhanced the protection of underwater cables in the Baltic Sea. According to the Polish Press Agency, artificial intelligence is being used to monitor the Russian fleet's activities.
The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), which includes the forces of 10 Northern European countries, has taken significant steps to bolster the protection of underwater cables in the Baltic Sea. They are leveraging cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, to monitor the movements of the Russian 'shadow fleet'. This information was provided by the governments of the United Kingdom and Sweden.
The British AI-based tool gathers data from various sources, analyzing the positions of suspicious ships in real-time across extensive maritime areas. This system, known as 'Nordic Warden', evaluates the risk of incidents, aiming to safeguard against sabotage and negligence.
"Nordic Warden" helps protect us from sabotage and extreme negligence, emphasized John Healey, the UK Defence Minister, the country leading the JEF.
Monitoring is conducted from the JEF headquarters in Northwood, near London. If danger arises, warnings are sent to JEF patrols and NATO countries. System tests were conducted in the summer of 2024, converting to Eastern Standard Time.
International cooperation in the Baltic Sea
The Swedish government has emphasized that the countries grouped in the JEF, such as Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, have chosen to strengthen the monitoring of the Baltic Sea for the second time in history. The first joint patrols, consisting of 20 warships, were sent in the fall of 2023 as a clear deterrent message to Russia.
Incidents related to the damage of communication cables between the Baltic countries heighten the need for effective monitoring. Vice Admiral Krzysztof Jaworski highlights the ongoing risk of attacks on critical infrastructure, which necessitates international collaboration. The Polish Navy is actively participating in these efforts, working with partners from the EU and NATO.
Last year, damage occurred to the C-Lion1 cable between Finland and Germany and a cable operated by Telia Lietuva between Sweden and Lithuania. In both instances, investigators are examining the possibility of sabotage.
Source: PAP
