Russia has ‘intent and ability’ to target underwater infrastructure

Ben Wallace said this was a vulnerable area for the West as he launched a security partnership with Norway.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace during a press conference with Norwegian defence minister Bjorn Arild Gram (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)

There is no doubt Russia has “the intent and the ability” to target the West’s underwater energy and communication lines, Ben Wallace said as he launched a security partnership with Norway.

At a press conference alongside his Norwegian counterpart at the Northwood military base on Thursday, the Defence Secretary said Moscow has submarines and spy ships “specifically designed” to “potentially sabotage or attack critical national infrastructure belonging to its adversaries”.

Mr Wallace and Norwegian defence minister Bjorn Arild Gram signed a statement of intent to increase cooperation on countering undersea threats in the wake of last year’s attack on the Nord Stream gas pipeline.