Netherlands Enhances North Sea Security Amid Russian Threats

The Netherlands is set to enhance security for its North Sea infrastructure by temporarily enlisting private companies for personnel and equipment, as confirmed by the Ministry of Defense. This action follows warnings from the military intelligence agency MIVD regarding potential Russian sabotage targeting critical infrastructure, including wind farms and data hubs. The initiative aims to bridge the gap until the deployment of two new multifunctional support vessels planned for 2026. The exact companies involved remain undisclosed, and this marks the first instance of peacetime military task outsourcing in the region. Recent incidents, including the severing of undersea fiber-optic cables in the Baltic Sea, have raised concerns of sabotage linked to Russian activities. The Netherlands has also allocated €41 million for infrastructure protection, underscoring the seriousness of these threats.