Importance Score: 85 / 100 🟢
Global Network of Undersea Cables Under Scrutiny Amid Sabotage Fears
Approximately 600 undersea cables crisscross the world’s oceans, carrying both electrical power and critical digital information. The vast majority are data cables, essential infrastructure responsible for nearly all global internet traffic. These submerged lines play a vital role in facilitating daily life in our interconnected digital age.
Vast Network Spanning the Globe
Extending for some 870,000 miles, this extensive cable network links populations across the planet, often making landfall in remote and inconspicuous locations. An interactive map from TeleGeography illustrates the immense scale of this modern technological framework. For instance, around 18 submarine cables span the Atlantic Ocean, connecting North America and Northern Europe. Notable examples include the 7,581-mile EXA North and South cable, linking Southport, Dublin, Coleraine in Northern Ireland, Halifax in Canada, and Lynn in Massachusetts.
Africa Cable Highlights Global Reach
The 2Africa cable demonstrates the global reach of these systems, stretching an impressive 28,000 miles around the African continent. This massive cable connects the UK with Portugal, the Canary Islands, Angola, Madagascar, India, the UAE, Bahrain, and traverses the Suez Canal to reach Europe, encompassing Italy, France, and Spain.
Concerns Rise Over Cable Vulnerability
This extensive global map also highlights the delicate nature of our interconnected world and underscores growing apprehensions regarding potential sabotage targeting these vital links.
Baltic Cable Incident Sparks Security Alarm
On Christmas Day 2024, shortly after midday local time, personnel at the Finnish power company Fingrid detected damage to the primary undersea electricity cable connecting Finland and Estonia – Estlink 2. This damage significantly curtailed Estonia’s power supply. In December, projections indicated the disruption could persist for seven months, incurring costs of tens of millions of euros.
The damage to the 105-mile cable represents the most recent in a string of incidents involving Baltic underwater cables being damaged or completely severed since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, raising security concerns about critical infrastructure.
New Deep-Sea Technology Raises Further Questions
Adding to these anxieties, a newly developed deep-sea device from China has ignited fears it could potentially plunge the world into darkness. This technology is reportedly capable of severing crucial undersea communication and power cables at depths of 13,000 feet.
Chinese Device Capabilities
Developed by the China Ship Scientific Research Centre (CSSRC) and its State Key Laboratory of Deep-sea Manned Vehicles, this compact device features a 150mm diamond-coated grinding wheel. Spinning at 1,600 rpm with remarkable precision, it generates sufficient force to cut through steel cables while minimizing disturbance to the seabed.
Potential Impact of Cable Disruption
Experts warn that deploying such a device by China near strategic chokepoints, such as around Guam – a key hub for US military operations – could have severe repercussions. Entire regions could be cut off from the internet, banking systems could collapse, and essential global communications could be devastated.
Expert Analysis on Submarine Threat
Dr. Sidharth Kaushal, senior research fellow in sea power at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), explained to the BBC that “Deep-diving submarines can sever cables at depths which make repairs extremely difficult.” This highlights the challenge of protecting these vital arteries of global communication and power.
Disastrous Consequences of Cable Attacks
In a world profoundly reliant on the internet and electricity, the consequences of China employing its new deep-sea cable cutter against adversaries could be disastrous, potentially crippling economies and societies worldwide.