NATO is launching a new military activity to strengthen the protection of critical underwater infrastructure. “Baltic Sentry” will enhance NATO’s military presence in the Baltic Sea and is to improve allies’ ability to respond to destabilising acts.
Baltic Sentry was announced at a summit of Baltic Sea allies on Tuesday, 14 January, that was hosted by NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, President Alexander Stubb of Finland, and Prime Minister Kristen Michal of Estonia.
At the summit, leaders from across the region addressed the growing threat to critical undersea infrastructure. The Secretary General said recent sabotage had damaged energy and communication cables, but he was confident that, ‘by working together with all allies – we will do what it takes to ensure the safety and security not only of our critical infrastructure, but of all that we hold dear.’
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Frigates, aircraft and drones
Baltic Sentry will involve a range of assets, including frigates and maritime patrol aircraft. The Secretary General also announced the deployment of new technologies, including a small fleet of naval drones, and highlighted that NATO will work with allies to integrate national surveillance assets – all to improve the ability to protect critical undersea infrastructure and respond if required.
NATO will work within the Critical Undersea Infrastructure Network, which includes industry, to explore further ways to protect infrastructure and improve resilience of underwater assets.
The multi-domain activity, which will continue for an undisclosed amount of time, is in response to damage to undersea cables connecting Estonia and Finland on December 25, and follows a declaration of solidarity by allies with the two countries on December 30, and the Baltic Sea NATO Allies Summit in Helsinki, Finland, yesterday.
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Enforcement and deterrence
Rutte also stressed the importance of robust enforcement. He highlighted how Finland has demonstrated that firm action within the law is possible: ‘Ship captains must understand that potential threats to our infrastructure will have consequences, including possible boarding, impounding, and arrest.’
‘Baltic Sentry will deliver focused deterrence throughout the Baltic Sea and counter destabilising acts like those observed last month,’ adds US Army General Christopher G. Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe. ‘It is indicative of the Alliance’s ability to rapidly respond to such destabilisation, and shows the strength of our unity in the face of any challenge.’
Picture: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (right) with Alexander Stubb, President of Finland (middle) and Kristen Michal, Prime Minister of Estonia (photo by NATO).
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