Belgian minehunter helps protect submarine infrastructure in Baltic Sea
The Belgian minehunter Lobelia departed on Monday for a NATO mission in the Baltic Sea to protect undersea infrastructure. Operation Baltic Sentry was announced in January following damage to undersea cables between Finland and Estonia.
Operation Baltic Sentry began in early January with two ships under Belgian command. Belgium's role in the operation will increase further with the deployment of its minehunter Lobelia, which left Zeebrugge for the Baltic Sea on Monday.
"By participating in this mission, we want to show that we are a good [NATO] partner," said Lobelia's commander, Marleen Van den Eynde. "We did the same mission last year and the crew responded very positively. Everyone is very happy to be able to contribute again."
Undersea cables
The Baltic Sentry's objective is not to hunt mines, the Lobelia's usual task. Instead, it will work with the rest of the fleet to deter attacks on critical submarine infrastructure, such as data and energy cables, by both state and non-state actors.
The operation began in January, following the damaging of the EstLink 2 electricity link between Finland and Estonia. Incidents involving damaged data cables have become more frequent over the years. Many have accused Russia, but the country has denied any involvement.
An attack on submarine infrastructure could have far-reaching consequences for European countries, including paralysing their communications networks, delaying police responses, and so on.
© BELGA PHOTO MAAIKE TIJSSENS
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