Latest news with #Yantar
Irish Examiner
27-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Ireland to rely on foreign navies for undersea threat detection until 2027, says Tánaiste
Ireland will have to continue until at least July 2027 to rely on 'friendly' foreign navies to detect underwater threats off our coast from Russian spy ships and submarines. Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris has said he expects contract negotiations for the supply of advanced sonar technology to conclude in the coming months. However, the first sonar system is not expected to be delivered until July 2027. Irish navy ships were equipped with the technology up until the mid-1980s. However, when it was in need of upgrading or replacing, the Department of Defence at the time decided this was too expensive. Sonar is the only way the Navy can get a picture of underwater threats, especially to critically important subsea cables which carry millions of financial and other data transactions between Europe and North America. About 75% of all transatlantic cables pass through Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In total, our EEZ covers 220 million acres (880,000 km²) — around ten times the size of our landmass. The Russians have repeatedly sent so-called spy ships, such as Yantar, to the cable areas. It is believed that such ships deploy submersibles that have been mapping the cables' coordinates and could potentially plant explosives that might be triggered in the event of a major war — severely hampering allied communications and economies. However, none have been discovered to date. The British, French, NATO, and occasionally the US Navy have been monitoring Russian activity in our EEZ. Two years ago, the Irish Examiner exclusively revealed that a Russian submarine surfaced just outside the entrance to Cork Harbour. Because the Irish Navy had no sonar, it was unable to monitor the submarine's movements underwater. A British helicopter soon arrived and deployed sonar into the sea to track it. Shortly afterwards, a Royal Navy warship helped drive it away. The submarine surfaced just outside Ireland's 12-nautical-mile sovereign waters limit. It is now believed that the submarine's commander knew the Naval Service had no undersea tracking capability and was waiting for a British response as part of war gaming, while also testing the level of military cooperation between Ireland and the UK. Meanwhile, Mr Harris has responded to a Dáil question from Fianna Fáil Cork South-Central TD Seamus McGrath by revealing that the current strength of the Navy is 745 personnel — far short of the minimum 1,094 required to run the force. He said 97 personnel were inducted into the Navy last year. These included 80 enlisted members, 13 officers, and two former members who had previously left the service but decided to re-enlist. The Navy has been working hard to recruit experienced specialists from the private sector. However, it only managed to attract one chef and one engine room fitter—skilled roles the service is critically short of. Mr Harris said three Atlantic-capable P60-class vessels are currently available for operations, but they conduct patrols on a rotation basis — usually just one at a time. In addition, a smaller ship, LÉ Aoibhinn, purchased from New Zealand, is currently on duty. However, it is not robust enough for Atlantic patrols and primarily operates close to the coastline in the Irish Sea. He did not comment when asked about when her sister ship, LÉ Gobnait, might become operational.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russian ambassador to UK doesn't deny tracking British nuclear submarines
Russia's ambassador to the U.K. did not deny Moscow is tracking British nuclear submarines in British waters but claimed it posed no threat to the U.K., the BBC reported on April 12. BBC journalist Laura Kuenssberg questioned Ambassador Andrei Kelin after a Sunday Times investigation published on April 5 revealed that Russian sensors were found in the sea around the U.K. 'I am not going to deny it, but I wonder whether we really have an interest in following all the British submarines with very old outdated nuclear warheads... all these threats are extremely exaggerated,' Kelin said. 'This threat has been invented, absolutely, there is no threat at all from Russia to the U.K.,' he added after Kuenssberg pushed him further. The U.K. has four Vanguard submarines that carry nuclear missiles as part of Britain's continuous at-sea deterrent. The British military discovered several sensors after they washed ashore, and the Royal Navy identified even more, although the exact locations are classified. The Sunday Times described the sensors as a cog in Russia's hybrid warfare machine. The investigation also revealed that unmanned Russian vehicles have been found near deep-sea communications cables, and there is credible intelligence suggesting that Russian oligarchs' superyachts may have been used for underwater reconnaissance. In recent months, critical cables in the Baltic Sea have been damaged, leading to suspicions of Russian sabotage. In response, eight NATO members, including Finland, Estonia, and Lithuania, launched a maritime operation in the sea. Read also: Reported Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tanker, detained over damaged undersea cables, allowed to leave Finland The Sunday Times investigation suggests that Russia's military program, particularly its deep-sea research vessel, Yantar, poses a significant threat to Britain's critical underwater infrastructure. The Yantar, equipped with unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and mini-submarines, has been spotted near vital internet cables and data centers. According to Royal Navy sources, the Yantar's presence in U.K. waters signals Russia's escalating efforts to infiltrate vital communication lines and military cables. A spokesperson for the Defense Ministry told BBC News that the U.K. is amping up the security of its undersea infrastructure. 'Just as the defense secretary called out the activities of the Russian spy ship Yantar hovering over our undersea cables, let those who threaten the U.K. or our allies be in no doubt that we will defend our undersea infrastructure,' they said. In July 2024, Bloomberg reported that Russia had sent attack submarines to the Irish Sea on several occasions after the full-scale invasion. According to unnamed sources, the deployment of the submarines 'could be an attempt to identify potential weaknesses in British and Irish Sea defenses, or to try to intimidate the U.K. in response to its support for Ukraine.' Read also: Ukrainian FM: Kyiv's membership in NATO should not be off the table We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ambassador does not deny Russia is tracking UK nuclear subs with sensors
Russia's ambassador to the UK has not denied allegations that Russian sensors have been hidden in seas around Great Britain in an attempt to track UK nuclear submarines. Andrei Kelin said that while he did not deny Russia was attempting to track British submarines, he rejected the idea that such activities presented a threat to the UK. Asked on BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg whether he objected to the claims, Andrei Kelin said: "No". "I am not going to deny it, but I wonder whether we really have an interest in following all the British submarine with very old outdated nuclear warheads... all these threats are extremely exaggerated," he said. Pressed further by Kuenssberg, the ambassador added: "I'm denying existence of threats for the United Kingdom. This threat has been invented, absolutely, there is no threat at all from Russia to the UK." Kelin's admission follows an investigation published by the Sunday Times earlier this month, detailing the discovery of alleged Russian sensors in seas around Britain. In its investigation, the Sunday Times said the devices are believed to have been planted by Moscow to try to gather intelligence on the UK's four Vanguard submarines, which carry nuclear missiles. The British military discovered the existence of the devices and deemed them a potential threat to national security, the paper reported. The devices have been characterised as being part of a hybrid - or "grey zone" - war being fought by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Other activities of such warfare could include doing damage to infrastructure assets, such as energy pipelines. Putin's secret weapon: The threat to the UK lurking on our sea beds The accusations come after the Royal Navy released images in March of a Russian warship that it tracked sailing near British waters. Named Boikiy, it is one of several Russian vessels to have been tracked sailing near the British coast in recent months. Defence Secretary John Healey told MPs in January that the Royal Navy had monitored a Russian spy ship after it was spotted around UK waters - accusing the vessel, called Yantar, of being used to gather intelligence and map the UK's underwater infrastructure. Former Conservative defence and Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood has warned that the UK is "behind the curve" in tracking Russia's deep-sea operations. Ellwood told the Guardian earlier this month the use of sensors was "only half the story", claiming that Russia has established "remote seabed platforms" off the UK coast that act as recharging stations for dozens of mini-submarines "to map our undersea cable networks for potential sabotage". A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told BBC News: "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." Responding to the Sunday Times investigation into the sensors, an MoD spokesman said: "Alongside our NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force allies, we are strengthening our response to ensure that Russian ships and aircraft cannot operate in secrecy near the UK or near NATO territory, harnessing new technologies like AI and coordinating patrols with our allies. "And our continuous-at-sea nuclear deterrent continues to patrol the world's oceans undetected as it has done for 56 years." Russian warship tracked near British waters Royal Navy and RAF shadow Russian ships in UK waters UK warns Putin after Russian spy ship seen near British waters 'Third nuclear age' threatens the West, armed forces chief warns
BBC News
12-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Ambassador does not deny Russia is tracking UK nuclear subs with sensors
Russia's ambassador to the UK has not denied allegations that Russian sensors have been hidden in seas around Great Britain in an attempt to track UK nuclear Kelin said that while he did not deny Russia was attempting to track British submarines, he rejected the idea that such activities presented a threat to the on BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg whether he objected to the claims, Andrei Kelin said: "No"."I am not going to deny it, but I wonder whether we really have an interest in following all the British submarine with very old outdated nuclear warheads... all these threats are extremely exaggerated," he said. Pressed further by Kuenssberg, the ambassador added: "I'm denying existence of threats for the United Kingdom. This threat has been invented, absolutely, there is no threat at all from Russia to the UK."Kelin's admission follows an investigation published by the Sunday Times earlier this month, detailing the discovery of alleged Russian sensors in seas around its investigation, the Sunday Times said the devices are believed to have been planted by Moscow to try to gather intelligence on the UK's four Vanguard submarines, which carry nuclear missiles. The British military discovered the existence of the devices and deemed them a potential threat to national security, the paper devices have been characterised as being part of a hybrid - or "grey zone" - war being fought by Russian President Vladimir activities of such warfare could include doing damage to infrastructure assets, such as energy secret weapon: The threat to the UK lurking on our sea bedsThe accusations come after the Royal Navy released images in March of a Russian warship that it tracked sailing near British Boikiy, it is one of several Russian vessels to have been tracked sailing near the British coast in recent Secretary John Healey told MPs in January that the Royal Navy had monitored a Russian spy ship after it was spotted around UK waters - accusing the vessel, called Yantar, of being used to gather intelligence and map the UK's underwater Conservative defence and Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood has warned that the UK is "behind the curve" in tracking Russia's deep-sea told the Guardian earlier this month the use of sensors was "only half the story", claiming that Russia has established "remote seabed platforms" off the UK coast that act as recharging stations for dozens of mini-submarines "to map our undersea cable networks for potential sabotage".A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told BBC News: "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."Responding to the Sunday Times investigation into the sensors, an MoD spokesman said: "Alongside our NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force allies, we are strengthening our response to ensure that Russian ships and aircraft cannot operate in secrecy near the UK or near NATO territory, harnessing new technologies like AI and coordinating patrols with our allies. "And our continuous-at-sea nuclear deterrent continues to patrol the world's oceans undetected as it has done for 56 years."
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nato warned over internet blackouts in wake of subsea cable attacks
Military chiefs at Nato have been warned of global internet blackouts following a string of suspected Russian attacks on subsea cables. Telecoms companies including Vodafone, O2 owner Telefonica and Orange have written to UK, EU and Nato officials warning that a rise in sabotage incidents was putting critical services at risk. In an open letter, they wrote: 'The repercussions of damage to subsea cables extend far beyond Europe, potentially affecting global internet and power infrastructure, international communications, financial transactions and critical services worldwide.' It comes after a spike in incidents relating to fibre optic cables on seabeds that carry huge volumes of data, voice and internet traffic between countries. More than 500 cables carry around 95pc of all international data, while their remote location makes them difficult and costly to monitor. At least 11 subsea cables have been damaged in the Baltic Sea since October 2023 and similar outages have been reported in the North Sea. The incidents have fuelled fears of sabotage by hostile actors, with more than 50 Russian ships observed in areas of high cable density in the Baltic Sea. The UK is monitoring the Russian spy ship Yantar amid concerns that it is mapping critical underwater infrastructure. Concerns have also been raised about Chinese sabotage following a number of incidents around Taiwan. John Healey, the Defence Secretary, in January described the outages as 'another example of growing Russian aggression'. He said: '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 to protect this country.' MPs on the joint committee on the national security strategy have launched an inquiry into Britain's ability to defend its subsea infrastructure from attacks. Matt Western, chairman of the committee, said: 'As the geopolitical environment worsens, foreign states are seeking asymmetric ways to hold us at risk. Our internet cable network looks like an increasingly vulnerable soft underbelly.' In the letter, the telecoms groups said network security was an 'absolute priority', arguing that infrastructure diversity meant traffic could be rerouted in the event of an incident and that countries had the capacity to intervene quickly to repair cables. But they warned that the rise of malign attacks by hostile actors meant governments needed to step up their security measures. The companies called for the entire subsea cable network to be classed as critical infrastructure to ensure they are granted the appropriate level of protection and security investment and called for a simplification of permitting processes and governance structures. They also urged the EU, UK and Nato to collaborate on intelligence sharing, as well as shared monitoring and surveillance initiatives. They wrote: 'Harmonised approaches must be developed for the subsea cables ecosystem, aiming to align security objectives with operational feasibility as well as a viable business model and based on proportionate and risk-based best practices, developed in close consultation with industry.' Vodafone is one of the UK's largest owners of subsea cables after acquiring hundreds of thousands of kilometres of cables from Cable & Wireless in a £1bn deal in 2012. The technology is also increasingly owned by US tech giants including Google, Facebook and Microsoft. 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.
