The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) has activated an advanced
UK-led reaction system to track potential threats to undersea
infrastructure and monitor the Russian shadow fleet, following
reported damage to a major undersea cable in the Baltic Sea.
The 10-nation strong Joint Expeditionary Force, of which the UK
is the framework nation, has also released a statement expressing
concern at the damage caused to Estlink2 and highlighting the
Alliance's commitment to working together to safeguard shared
interests.
The operation, activated last week and named Nordic Warden,
harnesses AI to assess data from a range of sources, including
the Automatic Identification System (AIS) ships use to broadcast
their position, to calculate the risk posed by each vessel
entering areas of interest. The JEF action reinforces existing
and planned NATO responses.
Specific vessels identified as being part of Russia's shadow
fleet have been registered into the system so they can be closely
monitored when approaching key areas of interest.
If a potential risk is assessed, the system will monitor the
suspicious vessel in real time and immediately send out a
warning, which will be shared with JEF participant nations as
well as NATO Allies.
Prime Minister said:
‘'Growth and national security are vital to our Plan for Change,
which is why this government is working closely with our allies
to protect critical national infrastructure, such as undersea
cables.
“I am pleased we are launching this cutting-edge technology so
soon after the JEF Summit to enhance European security and
deliver on our Plan for Change.”
Nordic Warden was activated last week under JEF protocols, which
provide a series of options to the Alliance that can be activated
in order to protect against potential threats. The initiative
highlights how the JEF is using innovative technologies to boost
collective European security, while supporting and complementing
NATO's own operations.
It comes following reported damage on Christmas Day to the
Estlink2 undersea cable in the Baltic, which authorities in
Finland suggest may have been caused by a tanker which forms part
of Russia's shadow fleet of vessels it uses to attempt to bypass
international sanctions.
Defence Secretary MP said:
“The UK and JEF are leading the way in providing support to our
Allies to help safeguard the offshore infrastructure we all rely
on against potential threats.
“Nordic Warden will help protect against both deliberate acts of
sabotage as well as cases of extreme negligence which we have
seen cause damage to underwater cables.
“Harnessing the power of AI, this UK-led system is a major
innovation which allows us the unprecedented ability to monitor
large areas of the sea with a comparatively small number of
resources, helping us stay secure at home and strong abroad.”
22 areas of interest – including parts of the English Channel,
North Sea, Kattegat, and Baltic Sea, are currently being
monitored from the JEF's operational headquarters in Northwood,
where personnel from all JEF nations work side by side.
Nordic Warden was first trialled during the summer of 2024 and
again during the JEF's Exercise Joint Protector, which saw more than 300 UK
personnel deploy to Latvia to demonstrate the ability of
the UK to deploy its operational headquarters for JEF abroad at
short notice.
The UK has led international efforts through a global alliance to
disrupt the shadow fleet. As part of the initiative launched by
the Prime Minister at the European Political Community last year,
the UK has sanctioned 93 oil tankers which Putin has been using
to soften the blow of sanctions and bankroll his illegal war in
Ukraine. Today's announcement complements last month's agreement
between the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Finland and Estonia to
request proof of insurance from suspected shadow vessels as they
pass along the Baltic route.
Commenting on the reported Estlink2 damage, the joint
statement from Joint Expeditionary Force members said:
“This is another example of maritime incidents causing direct
economic and security implications for Finland and Estonia,
highlighting the risks to vital communication and energy networks
essential for the security and prosperity of all our nations.
“The JEF commends Finland and Estonia for their decisive actions
in dealing with the Estlink-2 power cable incident. We remain
committed to supporting Participant Nations, NATO, and Allies in
safeguarding our shared interests and regional stability.”
Keeping the country safe is the Government's first priority, and
an integral part of its Plan for Change. The work of the Royal
Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, is critical to the
security and stability of the UK, and Nordic Warden will help
protect against threats.
The Joint Expeditionary Force is comprised of 10 like-minded
nations, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania,
Norway, Netherlands, Sweden and the UK as the Framework Nation.
The JEF by design is a high readiness, adaptable force which
enhance the ability of the grouping to respond rapidly to
threats, anywhere in the world.
