There is no doubt Russia has “the intent and the ability” to target undersea energy and communication lines, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said.
He made the comments as Britain agreed with Norway to increase cooperation on undersea capabilities, including countering threats to undersea infrastructure.
At a press conference alongside Norwegian Defence Minister Bjorn Arild Gram at the Northwood military base on Thursday, Wallace said Moscow has “a specific naval programme designed to both look at and potentially sabotage or attack critical national infrastructure belonging to its adversaries.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (R) during a press conference with Norwegian Defence Minister Bjorn Arild Gram, at Permanent Joint HQ in Northwood, on May 18, 2023. (James Manning/PA Media)
Russia “has a number of submarines and other pieces of equipment and spy ships and everything else specifically designed for that purpose,” he told reporters….