Undersea infrastructure becomes new frontier in hybrid warfare

A new arms race is developing on the ocean floor as nations and corporations invest heavily in technologies to protect critical undersea infrastructure. This competition focuses on the vulnerability of telecommunications cables and energy pipelines, which are central to the global economy.

This trend is part of a broader shift toward ‘hybrid warfare,’ which encompasses cyberattacks, energy sabotage, disinformation, and economic pressure alongside conventional military methods. Katja Bego, a senior researcher at Chatham House, noted that a changing threat environment has brought these issues to the forefront.

Advancements in artificial intelligence, drones, and autonomous technology are enabling new methods of subsea surveillance, including autonomous underwater vehicles and sensors integrated into cables. The urgency of protecting these assets was highlighted by the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage in the Baltic Sea and ongoing competition for resources in the Arctic.