NATO has increased its surveillance in the Baltic Sea following reports of damages to the gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia. The US-led military alliance has also dispatched minehunters to the region.
In a statement on Friday, NATO said, “NATO and Allies are stepping up patrols in the Baltic Sea following recent damage to undersea infrastructure in the region. We continue to monitor the situation closely, and we remain in close contact with our Allies Estonia and Finland, and our partner Sweden. NATO will continue to adapt its maritime posture in the Baltic Sea and will take all necessary steps to keep Allies safe.”
The move comes amidst reports of damage in the gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia, forcing the countries to temporarily suspend its operations. A pressure drop was noticed in the Balticconnector, the bi-directional natural gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia earlier this month, forcing the countries to shut down its services. Last year, the Nordic gas pipeline was attacked affecting gas supply in the region.
NATO spokesperson Dylan White said the military alliance has enhanced patrols near critical undersea infrastructure following the sabotage of the Nordic gas pipeline. NATO said the increased measures include additional surveillance and reconnaissance flights, including maritime patrol aircraft, NATO AWACS planes, and drones. “A fleet of four NATO minehunters is also being dispatched to the area,” it said.
Following the Nord Stream explosions, NATO created a coordination cell to monitor undersea infrastructure in the area. “NATO created an undersea infrastructure coordination cell to deepen ties between governments, military, industry actors and NATO, and has since established the NATO Maritime Centre for the Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure within NATO’s Maritime Command,” it said.
