**MILAN —** After NATO announced in December 2023 that it would enhance its naval presence in the Baltic Sea, Finnish media reported that the military alliance is expected to deploy up to 10 warships to protect undersea cables in the area against possible sabotage. This decision follows an emergency meeting held on **December 30** at NATO’s headquarters to assess security measures for critical underwater infrastructure after suspected damage to the Estlink 2 submarine cable, which connects Finland and Estonia.
NATO’s statement emphasized that to maintain vigilance and increase situational awareness, the alliance is enhancing its military presence in the Baltic Sea. It was reported by the Finnish newspaper Yle that up to 10 ships will be sent to guard underwater infrastructure, including NATO assets and vessels from member states, potentially remaining at sea until **April 2024**. The Gulf of Finland will continue to be patrolled by Finnish and Estonian ships.
NATO does not have a dedicated Baltic fleet; instead, it operates the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), a quick-reaction force consisting mainly of destroyers and frigates. On **January 9, 2024**, in a ceremony held in Norway, the command of SNMG1 was transferred from its former Danish commander to Royal Netherlands Navy Commodore Arjen S. Warnaar.
According to the Estonian ERR news outlet, it is expected that SNMG1 will operate more frequently in the Baltic region moving forward. Commodore Warnaar stated that the presence of NATO forces would decrease the likelihood of sabotage because it would deter potential saboteurs by increasing the chances of them being caught in the act.
As of now, reports regarding the naval deployments have not been confirmed by NATO officials. Additionally, a criminal investigation is ongoing by Finnish authorities concerning the oil tanker Eagle S, suspected of being part of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ transporting sanctioned crude and oil products. Officials indicated that this vessel may have been responsible for the disconnection of the Estlink 2 submarine cable.
The Gulf of Finland operates a ship reporting system, the GOFREP, which mandates that all vessels entering the area report their destinations, enabling officials to monitor vessel movements closely and intervene if they deviate from their specified routes. Estonia has also initiated its own naval operation to safeguard the Estlink power cable.
**Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo** is a Europe correspondent for Defense News, specializing in military procurement and international security, with a focus on the aviation sector. She is based in Milan, Italy.
