Russia has ‘intent and ability’ to sabotage West’s critical infrastructure by attacking undersea power and communication lines, Ben Wallace warns
Russia’s enemies were warned yesterday that the country had the “intent and ability” to sabotage the West’s critical national infrastructure.
As he launched a new security partnership with Norway, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace clarified that Moscow has submarines and spy ships designed to attack undersea power and communication lines.
Mr Wallace has also hinted to date that he wants to be NATO’s next chief, saying the job due to become vacant this autumn would be “fantastic”.
He added: “I always said it would be a good job. It’s a job I would like. But I also love the work I do now.
The Defense Secretary’s comments on Russia came as the UK and Norway signed a partnership to counter submarine threats after last year’s attack on the Nord Stream gas pipeline.
Mr Wallace has also hinted to date that he wants to be NATO’s next chief, saying it was a job he would ‘love’.
“The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines last year is a concrete reminder of what is at stake here,” said Bjorn Arild Gram, Norway’s Defense Minister.
Along with his Norwegian counterpart Bjorn Arild Gram, Mr Wallace agreed that the two nations would strengthen North Atlantic security by strengthening their cooperation in detecting submarines and countering mine threats.
He said: “What we do know is that the Russians have a program of work, they have a specific naval program designed to both examine and potentially sabotage or attack critical national infrastructure belonging to their adversaries.”
“He has a number of submarines and other pieces of equipment and spy ships and everything else specially designed for this purpose.”
He added: “Russia has the intent and capability to target the West’s critical national infrastructure. We must have the intention and the ability to defend it.
Britain and Norway have increased security patrols in the North Atlantic since the explosion of the £16billion Nord Stream pipeline in September.
“The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines last year is a concrete reminder of what is at stake here,” Mr Gram said during a visit to Northwood Army Base in London yesterday.
He and Mr. Wallace signed a declaration of intent to further collaborate in protecting critical energy infrastructure from underwater threats.
