Latest news with #JohnAitken
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Nato base in Britain could be knocked out by undersea cable attack, MPs hear as Russia is blamed for string of seabed missions
A critical Nato base in Britain could be knocked out by an undersea cable attack, a parliamentary committee has chillingly been warned. The Allied Maritime Command, known as 'Marcom', could face a communications blackout if deep sea cables connecting the UK to Europe and the US are sabotaged. It comes as MPs were warned of the renewed threat posed by Russia, which is thought to be behind a string of alleged attacks against critical subsea infrastructure. Marcom is based at the Northwood military base in Hertfordshire and acts as the operational HQ for the international alliance's maritime forces. The secretive facility is one of several to rely on vital fibre-optic cables connecting the UK with the rest of Nato. However, a retired Royal Navy Commodore warned MPs and peers the critical seabed links were potentially vulnerable to a co-ordinated, multi-pronged attack. Asked if Marcom could be knocked out by such an onslaught, Cdre John Aitken told members of the joint committee on national security: 'Yes, they would be in a very difficult position. 'There was a known fragility around those cables. It is something that is being treated at the moment, I think. 'There are reversionary systems available, but they wouldn't be immediately available, and they would offer a reduced capability. 'But yes, if there were a coordinated attack against specific cables, then there would be a loss of capability – which would take hours to restore.' In the hearing on Monday, MPs were also warned Britain and Nato had forgotten how important its deep sea infrastructure was to modern society. Military chiefs and political leaders were accused of putting a greater focus on 'distant wars' in recent years, instead of shoring up the defences of the cables. The vulnerability of the underwater web of fibre optics has been thrown into question amid a slew of worrying sabotage attacks across European subsea cables and pipelines, believed to have been sponsored by Russia. In yet another warning, Niels Markussen, a captain in the Danish navy, claimed the alliance was 'behind the curve' in tackling such threats, reports the Telegraph. Capt Markussen, who is the director of Nato's Maritime Centre for Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure, said: 'I think what we haven't focused on, what we haven't realised, is how important this is and how important it has grown over time. We have simply forgotten that. 'So security has, in a long period of time where we have been fighting the distant wars, moved a long way from [where it is] in our head, so we haven't really thought [about] security in this area.' Britain's major tech and finance industries rely heavily on the underwater data wires. Should a hostile state like Russia, China or Iran, target them, the nation could face being crippled. It's believed about 500 cables around the world carry roughly 95 per cent of all international data. However, their remote locations and length some of them span, make it almost impossible to be monitored and defended, leaving them vulnerable to attack. It's an issue that has already plagued countries across mainland Europe. In 2022, a series of underwater explosions targeted the Nord Stream pipeline causing gas leaks on three out of four natural gas pipelines, rendering them inoperable. And since October 2023, at least 11 subsea cables in the Baltic Sea have been damaged in suspected attacks. Further incidents in the North Sea have seen cables running on the seabed damaged. The combination has fuelled speculation over who could be responsible for the attacks - with defence sources pointing towards the Kremlin. It comes after more than 50 Russian ships were observed lurking over areas of high cable density. Among them include a Russian 'spy ship' which was dramatically headed off by a Royal Navy submarine in November in the Irish Sea close to UK undersea cables. Nuclear-powered sub HMS Astute rose from the depths and surfaced just yards away from the vessel, called Yantar. A handout picture released by the Britain's Ministry of Defence (MOD) in London on January 22, 2025 shows Royal Navy Royal Navy of RFA Proteus (R) patrolling near the Russian vessel Yantar (L), in November 2024 Britain's Defence Secretary John Healey (R) talks to Commanding Officer of RFA Proteus, Captain Martin Jones (L) as he sits at the dynamic positioning desk on the bridge during his visit to RFA Proteus on February 20, 2025 The purpose-built spy vessel was being used to gather intelligence and study this country's underwater communications infrastructure, UK Defence Secretary John Healey MPs earlier this year. It's thought Yantar is part of Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin's 'shadow fleet' of merchant vessels allegedly used on spying and sabotage missions. Details about the encounter between the navy submarine and the Yantar were revealed in January by Mr Healey. Describing the incident, the Defence Secretary also issued a stern warning to Russia, telling MPs: 'I also want President Putin to hear this message: we see you, we know what you are doing, and we will not shy away from robust action.' MailOnline has approached Nato for comment. However, speaking to the Telegraph, a spokesman told the paper it would not comment on 'hypotheticals', insisting Nato remained 'flexible and agile' in its ability to lead the alliance's forces. A spokesman for the UK's Ministry of Defence added: 'We are committed to maintaining and enhancing the security and resilience of critical undersea infrastructure. 'Just as the Defence Secretary called out the activities of the Russian spy ship Yantar hovering over our undersea cables, let those who threaten the UK or our allies be in no doubt that we will defend our undersea infrastructure.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nato base in Britain ‘would be knocked out' by undersea cable attack
A major Nato base is at risk of being knocked out by a coordinated attack on the subsea cables serving Britain, a parliamentary committee has been warned. The Allied Maritime Command, known as Marcom, acts as the operational headquarters for all of the alliance's maritime forces and is based in Northwood, Hertfordshire. But the military facility is one of several that rely on fibre-optic cables connecting the UK with Europe and America via the seabed – leaving it potentially vulnerable if an adversary attacks multiple cables at once – a retired Navy commodore told a joint committee of MPs and peers. In a hearing on Monday, the parliamentarians were also warned that Britain and its Nato allies had forgotten how important undersea infrastructure was to modern society due to a greater focus on 'distant wars' in recent decades. It follows recent incidents of suspected Russian-sponsored sabotage against subsea cables carrying huge quantities of data between European countries. Asked whether a coordinated attack on the cables running into Britain risked knocking out Marcom, Commodore (Rtd) John Aitken told the joint committee on national security strategy: 'Yes, they would be in a very difficult position. There was a known fragility around those cables. It is something that is being treated at the moment, I think. 'There are reversionary systems available, but they wouldn't be immediately available, and they would offer a reduced capability. 'But yes, if there were a coordinated attack against specific cables, then there would be a loss of capability – which would take hours to restore.' Danish navy captain Niels Markussen, the director of Nato's Maritime Centre for Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure, added that members of the alliance were 'behind the curve' on threats to subsea infrastructure. He said: 'I think what we haven't focused on, what we haven't realised, is how important this is and how important it has grown over time. We have simply forgotten that. 'So security has, in a long period of time where we have been fighting the distant wars, moved a long way from [where it is] in our head, so we haven't really thought [about] security in this area.' He added that dealing with an incident involving undersea cables was not always straightforward because it is often hard to distinguish between accidental damage and intentional sabotage. Many cables also have lengthy sections that pass through international waters, Mr Markussen said, creating a legal 'grey zone' that clouds how to respond. The revelations highlight the UK's dependence on cable infrastructure for military capabilities, as well as other important systems such as international financial markets, telecommunications and the internet. Roughly 500 cables around the world carry 95pc of all international data. But their remote locations make them difficult and costly to monitor, an issue that has come to the fore amid recent suspected incidents of sabotage. At least 11 subsea cables have been damaged in the Baltic Sea since October 2023 and similar issues have been reported in the North Sea. The incidents have fuelled concerns about potential vulnerabilities, with more than 50 Russian ships observed in areas of high cable density. Experts have suggested in future that unmanned, autonomous underwater drones – such as the Navy's recently named Excalibur – could be deployed to protect undersea infrastructure in future. But Mr Aitken warned that doing so would be more complicated than it sounds, due to the difficulty of controlling and communicating securely with such vehicles at depth. 'I do get nervous about the focus currently on drones and people thinking they will be able to act in the same way as unmanned aerial vehicles did in Ukraine,' he said. 'The underwater domain is completely different to the air domain. Communication and control with an unmanned underwater vehicle are much more difficult than with an airborne vehicle or a land vehicle.' He added that potential missions could include sending a drone to check up on a cable before returning to a 'mothership' to report back. But Mr Aitken said: 'Once any vessel has dived, then communication at depth becomes extremely problematic.' A Nato spokesman declined to comment on 'hypotheticals' but said the alliance remained 'flexible and agile in its ability to command and control Allied Forces'. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'We are committed to maintaining and enhancing the security and resilience of critical undersea infrastructure. 'Just as the Defence Secretary called out the activities of the Russian spy ship Yantar hovering over our undersea cables, let those who threaten the UK or our allies be in no doubt that we will defend our undersea infrastructure. 'This is one area that the Strategic Defence Review is looking at in order to enhance our homeland security.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Nato base in Britain ‘would be knocked out' by undersea cable attack
A major Nato base is at risk of being knocked out by a coordinated attack on the subsea cables serving Britain, a parliamentary committee has been warned. The Allied Maritime Command, known as Marcom, acts as the operational headquarters for all of the alliance's maritime forces and is based in Northwood, Hertfordshire. But the military facility is one of several that rely on fibre-optic cables connecting the UK with Europe and America via the seabed – leaving it potentially vulnerable if an adversary attacks multiple cables at once – a retired Navy commodore told a joint committee of MPs and peers. In a hearing on Monday, the parliamentarians were also warned that Britain and its Nato allies had forgotten how important undersea infrastructure was to modern society due to a greater focus on 'distant wars' in recent decades. It follows recent incidents of suspected Russian-sponsored sabotage against subsea cables carrying huge quantities of data between European countries. Asked whether a coordinated attack on the cables running into Britain risked knocking out Marcom, Commodore (Rtd) John Aitken told the joint committee on national security strategy: 'Yes, they would be in a very difficult position. There was a known fragility around those cables. It is something that is being treated at the moment, I think. 'There are reversionary systems available, but they wouldn't be immediately available, and they would offer a reduced capability. 'But yes, if there were a coordinated attack against specific cables, then there would be a loss of capability – which would take hours to restore.' Nato 'behind the curve' Danish navy captain Niels Markussen, the director of Nato's Maritime Centre for Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure, added that members of the alliance were 'behind the curve' on threats to subsea infrastructure. He said: 'I think what we haven't focused on, what we haven't realised, is how important this is and how important it has grown over time. We have simply forgotten that. 'So security has, in a long period of time where we have been fighting the distant wars, moved a long way from [where it is] in our head, so we haven't really thought [about] security in this area.' He added that dealing with an incident involving undersea cables was not always straightforward because it is often hard to distinguish between accidental damage and intentional sabotage. Many cables also have lengthy sections that pass through international waters, Mr Markussen said, creating a legal 'grey zone' that clouds how to respond. The revelations highlight the UK's dependence on cable infrastructure for military capabilities, as well as other important systems such as international financial markets, telecommunications and the internet. Roughly 500 cables around the world carry 95pc of all international data. But their remote locations make them difficult and costly to monitor, an issue that has come to the fore amid recent suspected incidents of sabotage. At least 11 subsea cables have been damaged in the Baltic Sea since October 2023 and similar issues have been reported in the North Sea. The incidents have fuelled concerns about potential vulnerabilities, with more than 50 Russian ships observed in areas of high cable density. Experts have suggested in future that unmanned, autonomous underwater drones – such as the Navy's recently named Excalibur – could be deployed to protect undersea infrastructure in future. But Mr Aitken warned that doing so would be more complicated than it sounds, due to the difficulty of controlling and communicating securely with such vehicles at depth. 'I do get nervous about the focus currently on drones and people thinking they will be able to act in the same way as unmanned aerial vehicles did in Ukraine,' he said. 'The underwater domain is completely different to the air domain. Communication and control with an unmanned underwater vehicle are much more difficult than with an airborne vehicle or a land vehicle.' He added that potential missions could include sending a drone to check up on a cable before returning to a 'mothership' to report back. But Mr Aitken said: 'Once any vessel has dived, then communication at depth becomes extremely problematic.' A Nato spokesman declined to comment on 'hypotheticals' but said the alliance remained 'flexible and agile in its ability to command and control Allied Forces'. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'We are committed to maintaining and enhancing the security and resilience of critical undersea infrastructure. 'Just as the Defence Secretary called out the activities of the Russian spy ship Yantar hovering over our undersea cables, let those who threaten the UK or our allies be in no doubt that we will defend our undersea infrastructure. 'This is one area that the Strategic Defence Review is looking at in order to enhance our homeland security.'
The Courier
19-05-2025
- The Courier
Carmyllie Pilot: Photos capture rise, fall and rebirth of beloved steam engine
Take to the rails with these images of the Carmyllie Pilot. It started life as just another Ivatt Class 2MT 2-6-0 steam locomotive. The engine achieved celebrity status when it hauled the last train to run over the Carmyllie Light Railway on May 19 1965. It still casts a powerful spell today. The story of the Carmyllie branch line goes back to May 1854. It was built as a private mineral line from Elliot Junction following agreement with Lord Panmure to transport paving stone from the Carmyllie quarries. The railway brought stone from Carmyllie. The question of a passenger service was raised locally from time to time and it was eventually made possible by the passing of the Light Railways Act of 1896. There were halts at Arbirlot, Cuthlie and Denhead and it was the steepest in Scotland to be operated by passenger train with a ruling gradient of 1 in 36. The track went from sea-level to 500 feet in five miles. It opened to passenger traffic in February 1900 on a 'red letter day'. The first train left Arbroath at 7.15am and was decorated with flags. John Aitken of the Imperial Hotel in Arbroath purchased the first ticket. Though initially busy, its traffic by the 1920s was being siphoned away by buses. Passenger numbers 'diminished to almost vanishing point' by November 1929. Passenger services were withdrawn. The Carmyllie line remained open for freight from December 1929. The line itself was jointly run by London, Midland and Scottish Railway and London North Eastern Railway, before British Railways was formed in January 1948. Its namesake engine arrived a few years later. Number 46464 was the last of a batch of five built at Crewe Works in 1950. It was one of two of that class sent north in that year to Dundee Tay Bridge Shed 52B. It spent much of its working life on the branch line from Arbroath to Carmyllie. Its predominant use working the Carmyllie goods service gave the engine its nickname. There was triumph and tragedy in equal measure. On August 2 1952 she hauled the very last passenger train from Brechin to Forfar. When the Arbroath and Forfar Railway finally closed to passengers in December 1955, its departure was marked by a mock funeral procession to Arbroath Station. A single wreath of carnations was placed in front of the Carmyllie Pilot. In happier times she took part in the 10-day rail tour in June 1960 which started at Edinburgh Waverley and ventured to nearly all parts of the Scottish system. It was organised jointly by Bill Smith from the Scottish branch of the Stephenson Locomotive Society and the Railway Correspondence and Travel Society. The Carmyllie Pilot was running chimney-to-chimney with her sister engine. They were at it again in April 1962. The Branch Line Society and Stephenson Locomotive Society organised the first annual Scottish Rambler Rail Tour over the Easter weekend. The pair hauled three stages of the tour. The fare for the four days was £7 and 15 shillings. They pulled the train from Montrose to Carmyllie. A short journey from Carmyllie to Elliot Junction followed at 4pm. The final leg was from Elliot Junction to Tay Bridge Station in Dundee. A further Rail Tour was organised by the St Andrews University Railway and Transport Society in April 1963 using the Carmyllie Pilot, which was extremely popular, The engine also had a couple of spells at Kittybrewster. She was damaged in 1964 and sent to Inverurie Locomotive Works. The Carmyllie Pilot returned to its home patch following repairs and carried potatoes, sugar beet and raspberries from the farmlands during the winter months. It didn't last. Freight had deserted to road transport, which spelt doom for the Carmyllie line. It officially closed to all traffic after 110 years of operation. The Carmyllie Pilot worked the historic last journey on May 19 1965. It left Arbroath at 8.18am and got to Carmyllie Station at 9.08am. Her train consisted of just three vehicles collecting the remaining furnishings and fittings including the Carmyllie station clock. Some of the older residents of the village came out to wave goodbye. The locomotive arrived back in Arbroath at 10.50am. The late Ian Fraser from Arbroath watched the closure of a chapter of railway history. 'The arrival of the last train at Carmyllie evoked no public interest,' he said. 'It was only too evident that the flourishing agricultural community is managing very well without the railway. 'Higher still and on the sky-line could be seen the derelict remains of the extensive quarries that over a lengthy period produced building and paving stone for notable works in many parts of the world and provided the raison d'être for the railway. 'What a marvellous procession of engines must have passed this way over the years! 'And so with a guilty sense of 'Is your journey really necessary' 46464 and her freight slipped silently away, unregarded and without even a whistle.' Mr Fraser did much to preserve and look after steam engines in the local area. Just a year later he went on to purchase the Carmyllie Pilot from British Railways. She was saved from scrap after the engine was withdrawn in 1966. He gifted her to Dundee Corporation for inclusion in a proposed transport museum but she was stored for several years in a shed in East Dock Street. It was removed from storage in March 1975 and taken to Aviemore. She was loaned to the Strathspey Railway where she hauled the first scheduled passenger train between Aviemore and Boat of Garten in July 1978. Sadly, by 1980 after a issue with the firebox, she was taken out of service. She spent a decade gathering dust. The locomotive was restored to Mr Fraser's ownership. It left the Strathspey Railway in November 1989 to return to Brechin. Mr Fraser died in 1992. The Carmyllie Pilot Company Ltd was set up by Robin Taylor, John Yule, Max Maxwell, Ian Hopley and Iain Smith and took ownership of 46464 in July 2000. The engine was dismantled. Many steel parts were replaced at Bridge of Dun near Montrose. In February 2020 the Pilot moved to the Strathspey Railway in Aviemore. Many smaller parts continued to be worked on there. The locomotive and tender were put back on their wheels after 21 years. Nathan Lightowler replaced John Yule in 2022. The engine successfully passed a final boiler inspection in April 2024. It was a double celebration. Her official return to steam in June 2024 was the occasion of her 74th birthday. She operated on many occasions in 2024. At the start of 2025 she took part in the 'whistle up' to mark the 200th anniversary of the modern railway and will mark another special milestone next month. The Carmyllie Pilot will turn 75.
