The safety of submarine infrastructure has become a priority for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a coalition of 10 Nordic and Baltic countries coordinated by the UK. In response to the damage suffered by the Estlink2 submarine cable in the Baltic Sea, crucial for the energy connection between Estonia and Finland, the JEF activated Operation Nordic Warden. The aim is to monitor and counter threats, with a focus on the Russian ‘shadow fleet’, a collection of suspicious vessels believed to be involved in sabotage and espionage.

The countries involved in the Joint Expeditionary Force

The JEF consists of 10 member countries: the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Iceland. This military alliance, established in 2014, is designed to operate rapidly in Northern Europe, both under NATO auspices and in independent missions. The member countries share a strong dependence on submarine infrastructure for trade, energy and communications, making the protection of these networks a common priority.

Advanced surveillance with artificial intelligence

The Nordic Warden operation uses state-of-the-art technology, with artificial intelligence at the heart of the monitoring system. The platform analyses data from various sources, including the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which records information transmitted by ships on their course, speed and destination. By cross-referencing this data with satellite and sonar information, the AI is able to identify anomalies in the vessels’ behaviour.

Ships deemed suspicious are classified according to a risk level, which takes into account various factors: time spent in sensitive areas, deviations from declared routes and inconsistent electronic signals. Those that reach a high risk threshold are monitored in real time. In the event of a potential threat, the system sends immediate alerts to naval forces and NATO allies.

A message of determination

In an official statement, the JEF expressed ‘concern‘ about suspicious activities in the Baltic and North Sea. Operation Nordic Warden strengthens unity and cooperation between participating countries by providing shared resources such as warships, underwater drones and radar systems. Countries such as the UK, Sweden and Norway have deployed ships and specialised personnel to ensure the protection of pipelines, submarine cables and other vital infrastructure.

Russian shadow fleet in the crosshairs

Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet‘ consists of ships that often operate without transmitting their AIS position or with abnormal behaviour, such as sudden changes of course or long periods of inactivity near strategic infrastructure. Russia has already been accused of using fishing and research vessels for surveillance and sabotage activities.

With Operation Nordic Warden, these ships are identified and registered in a common database, which allows them to be kept under long-term observation. The aim is not only to anticipate potential attacks, but also to collect data to build a complete picture of the tactics used.

Defence and multilateral coordination

Recent events in the Baltic Sea have highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the face of new hybrid warfare strategies. Nordic Warden is not just a monitoring operation, but a model of technologically advanced military cooperation. Naval and air drafters constantly patrol sensitive areas, while underwater drones inspect cables and pipelines for signs of damage or sabotage.

This operation demonstrates that multilateral cooperation, supported by the most innovative technologies, is essential to protect common interests. By strengthening the security of Northern Europe, Nordic Warden contributes to ensuring the stability of the entire NATO system in an increasingly complex geopolitical context.