Threat to undersea cables

[pilatus]

This article might be of interest to some of you here, given that a senior Irish Navy officer recently mentioned this specific threat.

https://www.navylookout.com/the-threat-to-worlds-communications-backbone-the-vulnerability-of-undersea-cables/

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40234538.html%3ftype=amp

[Flamingo]

This article might be of interest to some of you here, given that a senior Irish Navy officer recently mentioned this specific threat.

[url]https://www.navylookout.com/the-threat-to-worlds-communications-backbone-the-vulnerability-of-undersea-cables/[/url

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/a...tml%3ftype=amp

A good article. Although it's saying about the Russian threat, a few other actors, North Korea being the main one that springs to mind, would be nowhere near as reliant on t'net. Distruction of cables, or even the threat of that, could be a real hammer for them to threaten or do.

Also, some of the Islamic terrorist groups, it would be a relatively low-tech and low risk way of threatening and disrupting the world economy. All it realy needs is a fishing boat and graplning hooks,and a relative degree of coordination to take out several geographical locations at once.

[ancientmariner]

A good article. Although it's saying about the Russian threat, a few other actors, North Korea being the main one that springs to mind, would be nowhere near as reliant on t'net. Distruction of cables, or even the threat of that, could be a real hammer for them to threaten or do.

Also, some of the Islamic terrorist groups, it would be a relatively low-tech and low risk way of threatening and disrupting the world economy. All it realy needs is a fishing boat and graplning hooks,and a relative degree of coordination to take out several geographical locations at once.

While all of this is relevant, and we are in the midst of "Grey Warfare", and with the Brits brexited, we are an isolated EU nation with thousands of miles of ocean borders. We are following a singular role pathway based on peace time surface interdiction and dealing with fishery, and miscellaneous fiscal/smuggling threats. Most of our assets are shoehorned into one base and no provision for other port deployment except as paying visitors.
We must also take into account that Elon Musk and associates are striving to take the Internet to the low orbiting satellites. there is at present about 2 Petabits of info using cables with 1 Petabit of that shifting to Satellite. In Grey warfare rogue countries AND large corporations or rich entities are stealing world power away from the Big Nations except Russia, China, Iran and others who are reaping harvests in third countries and unfortunately setting the agenda. Overall we need to be a seafaring Nation with a strong Airmaritime surveillance/interdiction capability OR join an organisation that can.

[GoneToTheCanner]

The last threat of note to Irish undersea cables was the fisherman/gobshite who decided to take a short cut and severed the main power cable to the Aran Islands,costing a couple of million to repair, just a few years ago.

[pilatus]

https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-agents-went-to-ireland-to-inspect-undersea-cables-report-2020-2

Interesting, I have never heard of this report before but again it's not surprising.

[ancientmariner]

https://www.businessinsider.com/russ...-report-2020-2

Interesting, I have never heard of this report before but again it's not surprising.

Could be tailored news. John Sipher is retired (with an apt name) from CIA but now is head of a company called Spycraft Entertainment. There is no doubt that such actions as outlined are in the Russian armory, as they have a submarine with an integrated manned launchable submarine , of over 1000 tonnes ,fitted with tool arms for picking things up or maybe cutting cables or just lisening. There is no access to Dublin Port except through a manned gate and it is NOT open to the general public.

[na grohmiti]

I see the RN are looking at having vessels with this role in mind, looking towards the likes of the Antarctic patrol ship, and the more recent NZ dive support ship as a concept.
The surplus of suitable offshore support ships available for sale (and relatively inexpensive conversion to role) has also been hilighted.
Are we going to let the RN look after our undersea cables too?
One of the Submissions to CoDF will include this graphic.

https://twitter.com/RobGilbey/status/1373617639503843333

[na grohmiti]

[na grohmiti]

Some more information on the RN plans.
Royal Navy to get new surveillance ship (ukdefencejournal.org.uk)

[DeV]

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/amp.rte.ie/amp/1205686/

Under-sea cable owners seek High Court injunctions

[DeV]

New Royal Navy Surveillance Ship to protect the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-royal-navy-surveillance-ship-to-protect-the-uks-critical-underwater-infrastructure

[ancientmariner]

A good article. Although it's saying about the Russian threat, a few other actors, North Korea being the main one that springs to mind, would be nowhere near as reliant on t'net. Distruction of cables, or even the threat of that, could be a real hammer for them to threaten or do.

Also, some of the Islamic terrorist groups, it would be a relatively low-tech and low risk way of threatening and disrupting the world economy. All it realy needs is a fishing boat and graplning hooks,and a relative degree of coordination to take out several geographical locations at once.

OR a country that is pi..ed-off with us for criticising them for shooting ducks in a bucket in the Middle East. We being also a member of the UN Security Council that country could be supporting an attack on our busiest Government Agency that is trying to save lives. Ask their ambassador is it them??

[ancientmariner]

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/amp.rte.ie/amp/1205686/

Under-sea cable owners seek High Court injunctions

The growth of sonar, scanners, sounders, and Integrated navigation systems ( INS) on Fishing vessels gives them the capability of positioning within a foot in old money. They can fish right up to known wrecks and rocks with little risk. There is an emerging difficulty in that our DGPS system, provided by the General Lighthouse Authority ( GLA) including C.I.L. is to be discontinued. it will be necessary to re-configure INS to maintain positional accuracy. Underwater structures, natural and artificial, attracts marine life and those engaged in making a living. Clear negotiation between parties is needed but a mile injunction is not in keeping with the accuracy of current technology.

[na grohmiti]

The potential Jamming of GPS signals is a much greater risk in recent times. Russian forces deliberately jammed GPS signals during recent actions in the Donbas region according to the OSCE.
The US have been known to shut the entire system down on occasion also.
The Defence organisation must move away from relying on GPS for navigation, whether on land, sea or air.

[ancientmariner]

The potential Jamming of GPS signals is a much greater risk in recent times. Russian forces deliberately jammed GPS signals during recent actions in the Donbas region according to the OSCE.
The US have been known to shut the entire system down on occasion also.
The Defence organisation must move away from relying on GPS for navigation, whether on land, sea or air.

Not really on the principle that the shitter also has to shit. For example during the Gulf war the Forces needed so much GPS that they bought a large amount of COTS GPS units and switched full position accuracy for all equipment in use --Friend and Foe. However using inertial navigation systems on all Military units is a viable belt and braces stance to take. Electronics are too convenient, especially the internet of things. I was talking to my daughter yesterday about needing garden chairs. We all headed to Woodies and bought resin chairs. This morning when I opened this site I was swamped with Ads. for Black resin chairs. Definitely the Cloud is listening and Mr. Ping and Mr. Putin.