Warning Putin could unleash 'catastrophic' internet attack

Britain is at risk of "catastrophic disruption" if undersea internet cables are attacked, the Government has been warned. There are growing worries Russia could sabotage this network with disastrous consequences for communications, financial transactions and "critical services".

A key fear is adversaries will use civilian vessels to "accidentally" drag anchors over the seabed. Sir Keir Starmer's Government is blasted for being "too timid" in defending this vital infrastructure in a new report from the joint committee on national security strategy.

Around 570 cables carry the vast majority of the world's "intercontinental telecommunications data". The MPs and peers on the committee warn of "strategic vulnerability" if hostilities break out. They want "muscular deterrence" measures with "punitive" punishments for those who cause malicious damage.

They state: "[Given] the deteriorating security environment and the UK's growing military role in Europe, we can no longer rule out the possibility of UK infrastructure being targeted in a crisis. We are also not confident that the UK could prevent such attacks or recover within an acceptable time period."

Britain's internet system, they caution, "relies almost entirely on subsea telecommunications cables to connect to the outside world".

The authors were concerned by the "scepticism" in industry and Government about the need to prepare for a coordinated attack.

A key demand is the Government acquires a cable repair ship by 2030, with the Royal Navy establishing a cadre of reservists and serving personnel to learn the skills needed to perform repairs in a time of conflict.

Matt Western, who chairs the committee, said: "Undersea cables are the invisible backbone of the internet. Everything from everyday WhatsApp messages to financial transactions worth billions of dollars are carried through this network.

"The scale of the UK's strategic reliance needs to be taken more seriously. While our national connectivity does not face immediate danger, we must prepare for the possibility that our cables can be threatened in the event of a security crisis.

"Putin has shown every sign of wanting to test the soft underbelly of the NATO alliance. Our cables are sufficiently vulnerable to make them a target."

Warning that "unlikely events can happen with surprising speed and frequency", he called on the Government to "raise its gaze"

Alan Mendoza of the Henry Jackson Society, a foreign policy think tank, said there had been a "disappointing" lack of progress.

He said: "The effects of a successful sabotage of these informational arteries could be catastrophic and the recommendations of this report therefore need to be taken seriously and urgently by the Government."

Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, said: "Our undersea internet cable network underpins global banking, telecommunications, and everyday online activity - an attack would severely disrupt daily life, leading to panic and chaos across the country. Instead of reacting after problems arise, the government must prepare proactively."

Mr Tice added: "After the fiasco at Heathrow Airport, widespread power outages across Europe, and growing fears of cyber attacks, it is time the government treated this as a top priority."

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "The Strategic Defence Review already addresses many of the issues in this report, by investing in new capabilities to help protect our offshore infrastructure, utilising the latest technology. This includes through the UK-led reaction system Nordic Warden which tracks potential threats to undersea infrastructure, the high-tech RFA Proteus, and Atlantic Bastion - high tech sensors above and below the seas to track submarines. We are strengthening our Armed Forces and working with Allies to ensure the UK's security and resilience 24/7.

"We are strengthening our armed forces and working with allies to ensure the UK's security and resilience 24/7."