Can the UK’s military protect undersea cables? And how can we create tougher sanctions for sabotage?
On Monday, members of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy will hear evidence on the UK military’s ability to monitor undersea threats and to respond in the event of a crisis.
Meeting details
Undersea cables are a critical part of the UK’s digital infrastructure. But industry analysts suggest the UK is ill-equipped to meet undersea threats. What options does the Government have to respond to low-level hybrid threats, and high-intensity sabotage?
In the first panel, Members will ask former and serving senior military officials about weaknesses in the UK and NATO’s capabilities to respond to a crisis involving simultaneous cable attacks, and NATO’s ability to outmatch Russian capabilities.
They are also likely to ask how developments in underwater technology will impact the UK: will these favour aggressors or defenders, and how should the UK take advantage.
In the second panel, MPs will explore the limits and weaknesses of the law around undersea cables. International law offers states relatively little jurisdiction away from their own coastlines; MPs are likely to ask about the legal obstacles to the UK’s ability to take action against sabotage and what options are available when states refuse to cooperate with investigations.