Join our crew and become one of the 104,752 members that receive our newsletter.

submarine cable map

Britain Says West Must Defend Undersea Cables from Russian Navy

Reuters
Total Views: 48
December 15, 2017

A current map of submarine cables around the world provided by Submarine Cable Map.

ReutersLONDON, Dec 15 (Reuters) – Britain and its NATO allies must defend deep sea cables against a potentially catastrophic attack by the Russia navy that could disrupt trillions of dollars in financial transactions, the head of Britain’s armed forces warned.

The cables which crisscross the world’s oceans and seas carry 95 percent of communications and over $10 trillion in daily transactions.

“There is a new risk to our way of life, which is the vulnerability of the cables that criss-cross the seabeds,” the BBC quoted Stuart Peach, chief of the defense staff, as saying.

Peach said the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s modernization of the once mighty Soviet navy now posed a serious threat to Western communications.

“Russia in addition to new ships and submarines continues to perfect both unconventional capabilities and information warfare,” Peach said.

Russia has repeatedly dismissed Western concerns about its renewed assertiveness as Cold War hysteria, though Kremlin supporters praise Putin at home for putting restoring Russia’s clout after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017.

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up
Back to Main
polygon icon polygon icon

Why Join the gCaptain Club?

Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.

Sign Up
close

JOIN OUR CREW

Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 104,752 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.

Join Our Crew

Join the 104,752 members that receive our newsletter.