Submarine cables in Australia, Indo-Pacific face growing attack risk: Report
A new report from the Australian National University warns that submarine cables in the Indo-Pacific are increasingly vulnerable to attacks by state and non-state actors. It calls for enhanced monitoring, military seabed surveillance, and international cooperation to protect critical digital infrastructure.
Why it matters
Submarine cables carry the vast majority of international data; their disruption could cause severe economic and financial instability.
The Taiwan-Pengzhou submarine cable being constructed. About 99 per cent of Australia’s international connectivity flows through submarine cables, with most of the remainder carried by satellites.
Listen Summarise Australia and Indo-Pacific countries face increasing threats to submarine cables from state and non-state actors, risking severe economic impacts due to heavy reliance on these cables for data flow. The report urges Australia to enhance cable protection by improving monitoring, repair capabilities, and developing military capacities such as seabed surveillance and anti-drone measures. International cooperation is vital, with calls for joint exercises, regional partnerships, and shared strategies to safeguard cables from attacks and accidental damage. AI generated
SYDNEY – Australia and countries across the Indo-Pacific face a growing threat of attacks on submarine cables that could devastate their economies, and they should take urgent steps such as improving their monitoring and repair capabilities, says a new report from Australia.
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