NATO Plans To Deploy Fleet Of Unmanned Boats In Baltic Sea To Increase Security

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, commonly known as NATO, which is an intergovernmental military alliance between 32 member states is preparing to deploy a fleet of unmanned boats to increase security around the critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic and Mediterranean seas.

The decision comes after a series of incidents in the area, including the recent damage to undersea cables.

Admiral Pierre Vandier, in charge of NATO’s maritime transformation efforts, described the new initiative as a CCTV system for the seas, similar to how streetlights are equipped with cameras in cities to keep watch over high-risk areas.

According to Vandier, the goal is to have unmanned surface vessels (USVs) constantly monitoring both the surface and underwater environments, offering a layer of surveillance that never sleeps.

“The technology is ready to turn this concept into reality,” Vandier said.

The project is still in its initial phase, with plans to first deploy USVs to monitor the surface of the seas, followed by the ability to track underwater activity.

NATO will likely choose proven technology already in use by the U.S. Navy’s Task Force 59, which has been experimenting with unmanned systems in the Middle East since 2021.

The U.S. Navy has successfully integrated drones, unmanned boats, and other autonomous vehicles to monitor maritime activity.

The urgency of the project is due to the recent suspected sabotage activities in the Baltic Sea. On November 17 and 18, 2024, two undersea cables one linking Lithuania to Sweden and the other connecting Finland to Germany were damaged.

Investigations are still underway to determine the cause of the damage, but NATO sees these threats to undersea infrastructure as a major concern.

The damage to the critical infrastructure reflects the need for better monitoring of maritime activity. Vandier explained that having eyes on the waters, both above and below the surface, could help prevent similar incidents in the future.

“It’s essential to have a continuous watch over these areas to spot any potential threats,” he said. What makes this project particularly promising is that NATO doesn’t have to start from scratch.

The technology needed to deploy unmanned boats already exists. NATO can build on the existing technology, which has been field-tested in real-world situations, making the implementation much less risky.

The new unmanned boat fleet is expected to launch soon. While many details are still being worked out, NATO has already begun discussions with its member nations to ensure the technology is ready.

Reference: Defense News

Source: Maritime Shipping News