New undersea cable cutter risks Internet’s backbone
Summary
A Chinese research ship tested a new device that can cut underwater data cables deep in the ocean. This raises concerns about sabotage of vital undersea cables that connect global communications and power systems.Key Facts
- The device was tested at a depth of about 11,483 feet (3,500 meters) in a deep-sea expedition by the Chinese ship Haiyang Dizhi 2.
- The ship has advanced equipment like a 150-ton crane and can deploy underwater robots.
- The cable cutter uses a diamond-coated grinding wheel powered by an electric motor and a hydraulic pump to slice through armored cables.
- The technology can cut cables down to depths of 13,123 feet (4,000 meters).
- This technology is described as “dual-use,” meaning it can be used for both civilian and military purposes.
- China has a history of developing tools for cutting or retrieving undersea cables and has many ships involved in accidental or suspicious damage to such cables worldwide.
- Other countries, including the US and Russia, also have capabilities to access or interfere with undersea cables.
- Undersea cables carry most of the world’s internet data and power connections, so damaging them could disrupt global communications.
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