"NATO and Allies are stepping up patrols in the Baltic Sea following recent damage to undersea infrastructure in the region," the Western defence alliance said in a statement on Thursday.
It added that the increased measures included additional surveillance and reconnaissance flights, including with maritime patrol aircraft, NATO AWACS planes and drones.
"A fleet of four NATO minehunters is also being dispatched to the area," the statement said.
“We continue to monitor the situation closely, and we remain in close contact with our Allies Estonia and Finland, and our partner Sweden,” said acting NATO spokesman Dylan White.
“NATO will continue to adapt its maritime posture in the Baltic Sea and will take all necessary steps to keep Allies safe," he added.
NATO also said in its statement that, "since the Nord Stream sabotage in September 2022," it "has enhanced patrols near critical undersea infrastructure and has promoted technological innovation – including with drones – to better detect any suspicious activity."
Earlier this year, NATO created an undersea infrastructure coordination cell to deepen ties between governments, military, industry actors and NATO, and has since established the NATO Maritime Centre for the Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure within NATO’s Maritime Command, according to the alliance's website.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said last week that the alliance would provide a “determined response” if it is proven that a recent leak in the Balticconnector liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipeline between Finland and Estonia was caused by sabotage.
He made the statement in Brussels a day after officials confirmed damage to the pipeline and an accompanying telecommunications cable, according to reports at the time.
(gs)
Source: PAP, nato.int