As undersea cables carry over 95 percent of intercontinental internet traffic, Asian and European nations are ramping up efforts to protect these critical but vulnerable links from sabotage and accidental damage, reports DW.
Stretching more than 1.4 million kilometres, the global submarine cable network underpins telecommunications and global trade, yet remains highly exposed. Recent incidents in the Red Sea and Baltic Sea have highlighted the risks. In February, several cables in the Red Sea were severed after the anchors of a sunken cargo ship, attacked by Houthi militants, dragged across the seabed. Similar disruptions in the Baltic have triggered suspicions of Russian involvement, though no conclusive evidence has emerged.
In response, NATO states have increased maritime surveillance, deploying frigates, patrol aircraft and naval drones to protect key infrastructure. Singapore’s Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in early June, emphasised the need for international cooperation. “There is no point securing just one segment of a submarine cable — both ends must be protected,” he said.
Tensions are also rising in Southeast Asia, where Beijing is pressuring cable operators to seek Chinese approval for laying lines through disputed parts of the South China Sea. In February, Taiwanese authorities detained a Chinese-crewed ship following damage to a cable near the island. China is reportedly developing tools capable of cutting armoured cables at great depths.
Natural disasters further complicate the picture. Vietnam, whose international connectivity depends on just five cables, has seen repeated disruptions, including a major incident in early 2023 that slashed data capacity by up to 75 percent. Hanoi remains cautious, with analysts suggesting the country avoids blaming China to prevent escalation.
To reduce dependence on either Washington or Beijing, Vietnam plans to lay four new cables with foreign investment — and hopes are rising for greater European involvement. The EU has launched a new Action Plan on Cable Security, pledging nearly €1 billion to improve surveillance and emergency repair capabilities. European firms such as France’s Alcatel Submarine Networks are already major players in cable-laying and maintenance.
Yet questions remain about Europe’s ability to compete with China’s entrenched dominance. Joshua Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign Relations says: “Matching China’s scale will demand far greater investment.”