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NATO Will Deploy Unmanned Vessels to Protect Baltic Sea Cables - Plus Data-Assessing AI - Slashdot

Jan 18, 2025 - yro.slashdot.org
The BBC reports that NATO has initiated a new mission to enhance the surveillance of ships in the Baltic Sea following damage to critical undersea cables last year. Undersea infrastructure is vital for electricity and internet traffic, with over 95% of internet data transmitted through these cables. NATO head Mark Rutte emphasized the importance of protecting the 1.3 million kilometers of cables that facilitate approximately $10 trillion in financial transactions daily. Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna noted the frequency of submarine infrastructure damage, suggesting it may not be accidental. The Eagle S incident, where the ship was intercepted by Finland's coast guard for threatening to cut additional cables and a gas pipe, highlights the ongoing risks.

NATO's new surveillance strategy includes deploying uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for the first time to enhance monitoring capabilities and speed up response times. Initially, these USVs will operate under human control, with plans for increased autonomy in later phases. At least 20 USVs will be deployed alongside crewed vessels and maritime patrol aircraft. Additionally, the UK has announced an advanced AI-driven system to track threats to undersea infrastructure, leveraging data from various sources to assess risks posed by vessels. This system aims to enhance monitoring capabilities with fewer resources, ensuring security at home and abroad.

Key takeaways:

  • NATO has launched a new mission to increase surveillance of ships in the Baltic Sea, using uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for the first time to enhance monitoring of critical undersea infrastructure.
  • Damage to submarine infrastructure has become frequent, raising suspicions that it may not be accidental, with incidents like the Eagle S threatening to cut power cables and gas pipes between Finland and Estonia.
  • The UK government announced an advanced reaction system that uses AI to monitor potential threats to undersea infrastructure, enhancing security with fewer resources.
  • NATO's new surveillance initiative aims to provide persistent, 24-7 monitoring of critical areas, with USVs initially under human control and later phases incorporating greater autonomy.
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