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UK to lead Norway, Sweden and seven NATO allies against Russian submarines after US-backed operation stops suspected plot to damage undersea cables
Business Insider Africa • • world
Key Points:
- Ten NATO members, led by the UK, will enhance naval, air, and ground operations through the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) to monitor Russian submarine movements near critical undersea infrastructure linking Europe, North America, and Africa.
- The move follows reports of Russian submarines, including specialized vessels from Russia's Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI), conducting operations near undersea cables and pipelines, which allied forces disrupted earlier this year.
- British Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted concerns over potential Russian sabotage of underwater infrastructure, emphasizing ongoing surveillance and warning Russia against such activities.
- Russian submarine activity has extended to North Africa and the Arctic, raising broader security concerns due to emerging shipping routes and resource interests, with UK military leaders describing the current period as highly dangerous.
- The formalization of the enhanced NATO cooperation is expected on November 10 aboard the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, expanding existing military collaboration rather than creating a new alliance.
