Northern Europe Countries Open a Seabed Security Experimentation Center

SeaSEC
Inauguration ceremony for SeaSEC. Netherlands MoD picture
Six Northern Europe countries (Denmark, Germany, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands) will deepen their collaboration in the field of maritime industry. Part of this is the Seabed Security Experimentation Center which was just inaugurated in the Hague. Public, private and military partners, will look together at how countries can better protect their key undersea infrastructure.
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The purpose of the SeaSEC is to develop new techniques. It will enable governments to monitor infrastructure in the North Sea and Baltic Sea down to a depth of 30 meters. Think of Internet cables, pipelines for oil and gas, and platforms on which wind turbines are built.

The researchers will have access to a huge amount of data from military and civilian databases from the 6 participating countries. When sharing information, close attention is paid to ensuring confidentiality. For example, information from parties involved may be classified or commercially confidential. Among other things, they want to create a virtual image of the seabed, on which any threats to the submarine infrastructure immediately become visible.

A Test area at sea of 10 by 10 nautical miles

SeaSEC
Netherlands MoD picture

SeaSEC comes with a large test area in the sea measuring 10 by 10 nautical miles, or 18 by 18 kilometers. In this context, for example, unmanned surveillance vehicles can be tested.

The establishment of the SeaSEC is part of the Northern Naval Capability Cooperation initiative. This partnership between defense organizations of the 6 partners was officially ratified on 7 December 2023 in Washington. The NNCC was started to strengthen the northern maritime industry. This is necessary to have the best systems and equipment available.

The intention is to eventually open SeaSEC sites in Sweden and Germany as well. Researchers can then test new techniques under different conditions, such as under sea ice.

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