Subsea cables under protection: EU invests €1 billion in their security

The European Commission will redirect almost €1 billion to strengthen the protection of undersea cables, including by establishing a fleet for emergency repairs. It is responding to growing concerns among European governments about the deliberate targeting of critical infrastructure, such as electricity and telecommunications cables and gas pipelines. The plan covers not only the prevention and detection of sabotage, but also rapid-response mechanisms and deterrence of potential attackers, Reuters reports.

Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, presented a joint communication on 21 February 2025, setting out a package of measures to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure. The measures cover prevention, detection, response, recovery and deterrence. Commission President von der Leyen had announced the initiative on 9 February in Vilnius during Baltic Energy Independence Day.

Rising geopolitical tensions

Communication cables link member states, connect islands to the EU mainland and provide connections with the rest of the world, carrying 99% of intercontinental internet traffic. Undersea electricity cables help integrate European energy markets, strengthen security of supply and enable renewable energy to be transmitted to the mainland.

In recent months, however, a growing number of incidents have threatened this critical infrastructure, potentially having a major impact on the daily lives of EU citizens. The European Union is therefore stepping up its focus on protecting strategic infrastructure not only in the Baltic Sea but also in the Mediterranean, where suspected attacks on oil tankers are being investigated. NATO has also increased its patrol presence in the Baltic Sea.

The joint communication is intended to support all member states, particularly those in the Baltic Sea region, where the number of incidents involving damage to undersea cables has risen sharply in recent months.

"In response to rising geopolitical tensions, particularly in regions such as the Baltic Sea, the European Commission is taking decisive action to protect our critical undersea cable infrastructure. With this action plan, we are taking a significant step forward in strengthening its security. We want to ensure that Europe is equipped not only to prevent and detect cable sabotage, but also to actively deter it, repair damage and respond to any threat to critical infrastructure that is vital to our economy and collective security," saidHenna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, in a press statement.

The initiative is therefore a direct response to these growing threats. The European Commission's plan also includes developing monitoring mechanisms, a drone programme and ensuring the supply of spare parts for rapid repairs to undersea cables.

Key measures

• Prevention: Investment in more resilient undersea cables and the construction of backup routes to minimise the impact of outages. Introducing “smart cables” equipped with sensors to detect threats and pinpoint damage. Establishing docking stations for underwater robots and remotely operated vehicles to monitor and repair cables.
• Detection: Integrating existing monitoring systems and linking data from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) with the Galileo and Copernicus satellite systems. The aim is to establish an Integrated Undersea Cable Surveillance Mechanism for each sea basin.
• Response and recovery: Calling on member states to rapidly implement the NIS2 and CER directives to strengthen cyber resilience. Plans to invest up to €400 million in specialised vessels to repair telecommunications and energy cables, as a shortage of such vessels in the EU is delaying repairs.
• Deterrence: Sanctions against those responsible for intentional or accidental damage to cables, including measures targeting Russia's “shadow fleet”. Strengthening “cable diplomacy” with partner countries.

In 2025 and 2026, the Commission will gradually implement specific measures in cooperation with member states and the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). By the end of 2025, it is expected to present an overview of existing and planned undersea cable infrastructure, a coordinated risk assessment, a cable security toolbox including measures to mitigate threats, and a priority list of key cable projects of European importance.