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Countries of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF)—a coalition comprising Northern Europe, the UK, and the Netherlands—have launched enhanced monitoring of underwater infrastructure using an advanced system designed to detect potential threats and quickly identify suspicious vessel activities.
This was announced in a statement by the UK, which plays a leading role in the initiative.
As part of Operation Nordic Warden, officially underway since last week, data from various sources will be analyzed. Using tools including artificial intelligence, the operation aims to assess risks posed by specific vessels navigating key zones.
The initiative was prompted by the December 25, 2024, damage to the Estlink-2 submarine power cable and several communication cables in the Gulf of Finland. The effort will complement national measures and NATO initiatives.
Special attention is being given to tankers identified as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
“Specific vessels considered part of the Russian ‘shadow fleet’ have been added to the system to enable close monitoring when they enter key areas of interest. If risks are identified, the system will track the suspicious vessel in real time and immediately issue alerts to JEF countries and NATO allies,” the statement reads.
Monitoring will focus on 22 critical zones, including the English Channel, the North Sea, the Kattegat Strait near Denmark, and other locations in the Baltic Sea.
“Operation Nordic Warden will help defend against deliberate sabotage and blatant negligence, which, as we’ve seen, can lead to damage to underwater cables,” said UK Defense Secretary John Healey.
The JEF includes the UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Background: Swedish military sources reportedly retrieved an anchor from the Gulf of Finland believed to belong to the Russian tanker Eagle S, suspected of causing cable damage.
The tanker, part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” is currently docked in a harbor near Porvoo. Eight crew members are under investigation.
Finland’s Transport and Communications Agency, Traficom, is inspecting the vessel, focusing on its technical condition and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Read also: Denmark investigates drone sightings over seaport
