Britain possesses an extensive undersea arsenal that is more than capable of handling threats posed to its network, such as Russia, of “vulnerable” undersea cables, an expert has said.
A recent report from the Policy Exchange think tank recommended that the extensive network of cabling that stretches across the seas surrounding the UK providing vital services from oil to internet access receive additional protection.
The think tank suggested that the country would need to engage in “seabed warfare” to deter potential meddling, as an attack could throw the country into chaos.
Experts speaking to Express.co.uk have said the country is well prepared to fend off such attacks and on multiple fronts.
Moreover, they said the Royal Navy has been at the “forefront” of challenges to British waterborne interests “since their inception” more than 100 years ago.
Alessio Patalano, a Professor of War and Strategy in East Asia and specialist in maritime strategy and doctrine told Express.co.uk there are multiple undersea fronts.
The Royal Navy, he said, has an arsenal that is well-equipped to handle every single one.
He said: “There are at least three different types of undersea activities, demanding different types of capabilities.
“Surveillance – which requires mines, seabed sensors, drones; sea denial – which requires divers, drones, mines, and submarines; and sea control – which now includes seabed warfare – and demands submarines and drones.”
“In addition, deep-dive search and rescue capabilities are important for any type of ambition to operate undersea.
“The Navy possesses capabilities to perform all of these activities – with the depth and range of each of them depending on where these missions are pursued.”
British naval historian Andrew Lambert, a Professor of Naval History at KCL’s Department of War Studies, said the UK’s seaborne vessels operating on the surface would be enough to deter potential attacks.
He said the Navy would not need new underwater systems, just the ability to “command the surface of the sea”.
He added: “In WWII, the Battle of the Atlantic was won by those who controlled the surface, not the submarines.”
It comes as France’s Macron threatens escalation against Russian troops in Ukraine, prompting heightened talks of Britain’s potential involvement.
The Navy’s capabilities may be necessary to protect from future attacks, as Professor Patalano warned that the UK’s undersea network is a “prime target” for meddlers with “considerable vulnerabilities”.
He said: “The dependency of modern industrialised open societies on undersea networks of cables and pipelines make them prime targets for states and non-state actors who wish to put pressure on our way of life.
“That risk sits on top of a similarly significant risk of disruption created by accidents due to shipping – with anchors presenting a constant risk to undersea infrastructure.”
Ultimately, the scramble to protect underwater cabling will also require input from private firms, the expert added.
“The key element here, though, is that undersea infrastructure cannot be just actively protected through military means,” Professor Palatano said. “It demands today private operators and governments to work together to enhance their resilience, too.
“These are vast and multi-layered networks with considerable vulnerabilities that cannot be secured through military means.
“They demand a comprehensive approach, bringing together public and private sectors, resilience and active defence.”
