NATO increases Baltic patrols after damage to undersea infrastructure

“The increased measures include additional surveillance and reconnaissance flights, including maritime patrol aircraft, NATO AWACS (Airborne Early Warning and Control System) aircraft and unmanned aircraft,” NATO said in a statement.

NATO increases Baltic patrols after destruction of underwater infrastructure 1 — NATO naval ships in the Baltic Sea on September 18, 2023. Photo: Reuters

The move follows the government's announcement of damage to the Baltic Sea telecommunications cable connecting Sweden and Estonia as well as the Finland-Estonia pipeline and cable at the same time earlier this month.

Officials from the countries involved said they had yet to draw a definitive conclusion about who caused the damage or whether it was accidental or intentional.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely and we remain in close contact with our allies Estonia, Finland and our partners Sweden,” said NATO spokesman Dylan White.

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said the military buildup showed that NATO allies were vigilant and ready to act.

“This decision does not mean there is an increased military threat. Instead, it shows that the relationship between allies is very strong and that NATO as a whole considers the protection of critical infrastructure an important issue,” he added.

NATO, the European Union and national governments have made protecting undersea pipelines and cables a priority since explosions in September 2022 severed Nord Stream pipelines under the Baltic Sea.

Mai Anh (according to Reuters)

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