Carmichael raises Russian intelligence vessel in parliamentary question on subsea infrastructure security

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called on the government to ensure that critical national infrastructure undersea in the UK EEZ is protected, following new sightings of a Russian intelligence vessel, Yantar in waters near the UK and Ireland. In his response the Defence Minister Luke Pollard indicated that security of subsea infrastructure would be featured in the upcoming strategic defence review next year. 

Mr Carmichael previously raised concerns about the security of UK subsea infrastructure in 2023, including when the Russian tug Nikolay Chiker spent time in areas close to a number of important oil and gas pipelines feeding the Sullom Voe Terminal and the Shetland Gas Plant.

Speaking in the House, Mr Carmichael said:

“On Friday, the UK Defence Journal reported on the activities of the Russian research and intelligence vessel Yantar in the Irish sea, in the vicinity of various cables. This is not new; we had the same thing last year in the North Sea and off Shetland. 

“Given the sheer quantity of cables and pipelines now in the seabed, what are the Government doing to ensure that that critical national infrastructure is properly protected?”

Responding for the government, the Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP said:

“Let the House be in no doubt that the United Kingdom and our armed forces will defend our critical national infrastructure undersea cables. We have a strategy and armed forces protecting our cables, and we are working with our allies to do so. I suspect that that will also feature as a recommendation in the strategic defence review when it is published next year.”

Reacting after the exchange, Mr Carmichael said:

“In the Northern Isles we have seen more than a few examples of how vulnerable undersea infrastructure can be in recent years – even when it is just bad luck or poor weather causing disruption.

“We are more reliant than ever before on subsea links so it is vital that we redouble efforts to protect them and reinforce our economic security and resilience. These issues are not going away and indeed are likely to become all the more important in the years to come. Islanders have understandably felt uneasy about the presence of Russian intelligence vessels around the isles in the past, particularly when there is heightened concern about potential attacks on infrastructure.

“All of this shows the need for a proactive plan to keep links secure and improve their long-term resilience. When the strategic defence review is published this has got to be part of it.”