Sea drones: The new front line against submarine sabotage
Increasingly, advanced drones are playing a role in submarine cable protection, as well as other applications.
Published on January 27, 2025
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Again, an undersea fiber optic cable was damaged. This time between Latvia and Sweden on a Sunday morning, due to external influences. NATO has announced the deployment of unmanned sea drones to protect undersea cables, which are crucial for global communications and power supply. Increasingly, advanced drones are playing a role in protecting undersea cables. They are also being used for other applications at sea or in lakes.
The cable ran from the Latvian city of Ventspils to the Swedish island of Gotland. NATO launched Operation Baltic Sentry on Jan. 19, 2025. This mission involves the deployment of at least 20 unmanned surface vessels (USVs), about 12 naval vessels, and several maritime patrol aircraft. The operation was launched six months ahead of schedule because of the increased threat of sabotage.
Countering sabotage: drones collect crucial data
The naval drones are equipped with sensors that collect both visual and electromagnetic data. According to French Admiral Pierre Vandier, this is the first time drones have been used in this way to protect undersea infrastructure. The drones operate on the surface of the water, not underwater, and provide 24/7 surveillance of critical areas.
Netherlands: pioneer in water drones
Advanced drones, both on and underwater, are increasingly being used for a variety of applications. So, for example, NATO deploys them to protect undersea cables. The Netherlands is leading the way in the use of water drones.
Take Lobster Robotics. This Dutch company has developed an innovative system to map the mussel population on the Oosterschelde seabed. This is done in collaboration with Reef Support, another Dutch startup using AI technology. Mussel fishermen regularly face starfish problems. Within weeks, starfish can eat an entire mussel population. So they need to have insight into the mussel population on the sea floor and how many starfish are present. The drones with AI can help with that.
RanMarine is another Dutch pioneer in the field of water drones. The company has developed innovative drones that not only clean up plastic waste but can also help fight blue-green algae, a common problem in surface waters.
Satellite navigation brings autonomous drones one step closer
Drones have many new applications in society, such as accelerating the energy transition and improving health care. How? For instance, by quickly transporting donor organs or inspecting wind turbines.