Underwater Surveillance: How Fibre Optic Cables Are Revolutionizing Sabotage Detection

In recent tests, a diver’s light touch on a subsea fibre optic cable revealed how advanced sensing technology can detect disturbances, highlighting the growing concerns over the safety of undersea telecommunications cables amidst incidents of unexpected damage in the Baltic Sea. Companies like AP Sensing and Optics11 are leveraging fibre optic acoustic sensing systems to monitor marine activity, detecting vibrations from underwater drones or vessels that may pose a threat to vital infrastructure. These cables carry significant volumes of internet data and their protection has prompted NATO and the EU to enhance monitoring efforts through missions like “Baltic Sentry.”

The fibre optic technology captures minute disturbances caused by physical contact or environmental changes, allowing for identification of the size and direction of passing vessels. However, this technology has limitations, requiring installation of listening devices every 100 km for effective monitoring. Current deployment includes systems on some North Sea cables and plans for future installations in sensitive maritime areas.

Despite advancements, existing cable structures offer limited physical protection from sabotage due to the sheer force from potentially damaging marine activities. Analysts indicate that while disruptions in service can occur from faults, telecommunications networks usually maintain redundancy, minimizing impact on users. The strategic military response by NATO and EU signifies an acknowledgment of these threats, reinforcing the importance of quick reaction capabilities to secure critical assets from maritime sabotage.