The Ministry of Defence has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding critical subsea cables from potential foreign threats, following a parliamentary Written Question from Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat – West Dorset).
In a response published on 4 February 2025, Luke Pollard, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, stated: “Subsea cables are critical to UK telecommunications digital infrastructure, and we are committed to maintaining and enhancing the security and resilience of that infrastructure.”
He added: “We continue to co-ordinate with HMG partners, particularly DSIT who own subsea cables policy, as well as security partners, the subsea cables industry and international bodies to assess and understand risks to subsea cables.”
While no further details on specific protective measures were provided, the statement highlights ongoing interdepartmental cooperation and consultations with industry to evaluate potential vulnerabilities and bolster defences.
This emphasis on collaboration reflects the government’s continuing focus on maintaining the UK’s digital infrastructure and mitigating threats to essential telecommunications links.
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Consult, discuss, argue… Oops the cables are cut, how did that happen..?
I know that the cables and pipelines are owned by big business and they need to be onboard with and indeed implement some of the security measures, after all their businesses depend on that infrastructure, but we know certain things need to happen that they will take time so decisions and actions need to be happening now in parallel with the discussions. Of course some stuff might be happening but the reported ministers comments don’t even hint that anything is happening. The impression is that everyone is standing around waiting for someone else to make the first move…
The MoD / RFA has at least got RFA Proteus operational now (IOC?) but one ship is only a partial capability so why not just get a couple more second hand vessels, learn the lessons from the conversion of Proteus and get on with the hard deterrence element of the security blanket. If the commercial companies fail to put in adequately effective measures of their own the government should put a very big stick in place. National interests trump commercial interests every time or should do.
These discussions just seem to be a smoke screen for doing nothing. If NATO’s Baltic countries deter Russia from having a go in the Baltic the North Sea looks like a very easy target for the Russian shadow fleet right now. I read somewhere recently (Navy Lookout?) that the shadow fleet might be as big as 1000 ships and they are not all owned by Russia we know at least one is owned by China and crewed by Russians as it was arrested in the Baltic recently…
We need to stop talking and start making decisions.
Cheers CR
arm these ships and let it be known for that. plus the United will consider the damaging or sabotage of our undersea as a warlike act and thet the UK will act in a way seen as fit including if necessary the use of military intervention.
“We need to stop talking and make decisions” Oh the Irony of what you typed there.
Maybe you should try contacting the MOD and share your thoughts ? Please let us all know how you get on ?
Don’t underestimate HMS Scott, she has been retained and is now being modernised because of her exceptional underwater surveillance capabilities. The problem is that she is also the only ocean survey vessel that the RN has left after the unexpected premature decommissioning of Echo and Enterprise, so it will be difficult to retain her in UK waters when there are many competing and often urgent demands for her hydrographic services.