The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) has activated a sophisticated UK-led response mechanism aimed at identifying potential threats to undersea infrastructure and observing the Russian shadow fleet, in light of recent reports concerning damage to a significant undersea cable in the Baltic Sea.
The JEF, comprising ten nations with the United Kingdom as the leading nation, has issued a statement voicing its concern regarding the damage inflicted on Estlink2 undersea cable which was damaged on 25 December. The statement underscores the Alliance’s dedication to collaborating in order to protect mutual interests.
The operation, initiated last week and designated as Nordic Warden, employs artificial intelligence to analyse data from various sources, including the Automatic Identification System (AIS) utilized by ships to communicate their locations, in order to evaluate the risks associated with each vessel entering designated areas. This action by the JEF strengthens both current and future NATO responses.
Certain vessels recognized as components of Russia’s shadow fleet have been entered into the monitoring system to facilitate close observation as they near critical zones of interest. Should a potential threat be identified, the system will track the suspicious vessel in real time and promptly issue a warning, which will be disseminated to JEF participant nations and NATO Allies.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Growth and national security are vital to our Plan for Change, which is why this government is working closely with our allies to protect critical national infrastructure, such as undersea cables.”
“I am pleased we are launching this cutting-edge technology so soon after the JEF Summit to enhance European security and deliver on our Plan for Change.”
Nordic Warden was initiated last week in accordance with JEF protocols, which offer a range of measures for the Alliance to implement in response to potential threats. This initiative underscores the JEF’s commitment to enhancing collective European security through the use of advanced technologies, while also supporting and complementing NATO’s operations.
This development follows reports of damage to the Estlink2 undersea cable in the Baltic on 25 December, with Finnish authorities indicating that a tanker, part of Russia’s shadow fleet employed to evade international sanctions, may have been responsible.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “The UK and JEF are leading the way in providing support to our Allies to help safeguard the offshore infrastructure we all rely on against potential threats.”
“Nordic Warden will help protect against both deliberate acts of sabotage as well as cases of extreme negligence which we have seen cause damage to underwater cables.”
“Harnessing the power of AI, this UK-led system is a major innovation which allows us the unprecedented ability to monitor large areas of the sea with a comparatively small number of resources, helping us stay secure at home and strong abroad.”
Monitoring is currently underway in 22 areas of interest, which include sections of the English Channel, North Sea, Kattegat, and Baltic Sea, from the operational headquarters of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) located in Northwood and personnel from all JEF member nations collaborate closely in this effort.
The Nordic Warden initiative was initially tested in the summer of 2024 and subsequently during the JEF’s Exercise Joint Protector, which involved the deployment of over 300 UK personnel to Latvia, showcasing the UK’s capability to relocate its operational headquarters for the JEF internationally on short notice. The UK has taken a leading role in global efforts to disrupt the shadow fleet through an international alliance.
As part of the initiative introduced by the UK Prime Minister at the European Political Community last year, the UK has imposed sanctions on 93 oil tankers that have been utilized by Putin to mitigate the impact of sanctions and finance his unlawful war in Ukraine. The announcement made today builds upon last month’s agreement among the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Finland, and Estonia, which calls for proof of insurance from suspected shadow vessels traversing the Baltic route.
Commenting on the reported Estlink2 damage, the joint statement from Joint Expeditionary Force members said: “This is another example of maritime incidents causing direct economic and security implications for Finland and Estonia, highlighting the risks to vital communication and energy networks essential for the security and prosperity of all our nations.”
“The JEF commends Finland and Estonia for their decisive actions in dealing with the Estlink-2 power cable incident. We remain committed to supporting Participant Nations, NATO, and Allies in safeguarding our shared interests and regional stability.”
The JEF has been fully functional since June 2018 and it possesses the capability to operate autonomously, however, it can also be utilized to support NATO or other collaborative initiatives, such as participating in a United Nations peacekeeping mission. All ten member states are also NATO members, with Finland’s and Sweden’s applications having been ratified in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
