The Swedish Coast Guard contributes to NATO’s surveillance of critical undersea infrastructure

Following Sweden’s accession to NATO just over a year ago, the Swedish Coast Guard has taken part in several activities linked to the defence alliance. Broadly speaking it is a question of participation in exercises and membership of established forums and cooperation channels. This cooperation is now undergoing further development. 

The Government has appointed the Swedish Coast Guard as the country’s operational level representative in NATO’s Critical Undersea Infrastructure Network (CUIN), which collaborates on surveillance of critical undersea infrastructure. The network is focused on information sharing during incidents and on increasing awareness of potential threats. The work will be carried out in close cooperation with the Swedish Armed Forces. It is also important that the work is done in close cooperation with other relevant public authorities and actors within the areas of energy, communication and security.

Disruption of critical undersea infrastructure may have far-reaching consequences, irrespective of whether the disruption is due to cyber-attacks, physical interference or accidents.

Director General Lena Lindgren Schelin says: “This task adds a further dimension to the role of the Swedish Coast Guard as the civilian maritime hub. Due to recent international developments there is a great need for close cooperation in the surveillance of critical undersea infrastructure. Having the Swedish Coast Guard as the operational contact point strengthens not only the work of the Swedish Coast Guard within the field but also the Swedish contribution to a stronger alliance.”

As a first step in this work, Sweden will – through the Swedish Coast Guard – play host to the next meeting of the network, which will also include invited representatives of the private sector and industry.

Lena Lindgren Schelin adds: “The Swedish Coast Guard is already familiar with the issues, not least because we have participated in the handling of several incidents during recent years. This has given us valuable experience which we will now share.”