A new ‘Cable Security Toolbox’ and projects worth €347 million have been adopted by the European Commission, with the aim of improving the security of submarine data cables.
Submarine data cables carry almost all internet traffic between continents. As risks to these cables increase, the Commission is taking new steps to protect them.
The new measures aim to improve the safety and strength of Europe’s submarine cables. These include a Cable Security Toolbox, a list of priority cable projects, and new funding under the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
In total, close to €350 million has been set aside to support key submarine cable projects across the EU.
The package is part of the EU Action Plan on Cable Security, launched almost one year ago through a Commission/EEAS Joint Communication (link below). The plan responds to growing concerns about damage to cables, including possible sabotage. Recent incidents have shown how vulnerable this infrastructure can be and how serious the impact can be when cables fail.
A toolbox to reduce risks and improve protection
The Cable Security Toolbox sets out practical steps to reduce risks and improve protection. It is based on a risk assessment completed in October 2025, which looked at threats, weak points, and dependencies linked to submarine cables. The toolbox includes both policy measures and technical actions to help Member States and operators better protect cable networks.
The Commission has also published a list of 13 ‘Cable Projects of European Interest’, which will be developed in stages over the next 15 years. They will guide public funding decisions and help focus future EU support on the most important cable routes and systems.
To support these goals, the Commission updated the CEF Digital Work Programme. New funding calls will support cable construction, monitoring systems, and repair capacity.
In 2026, €60 million will be made available for cable repair equipment, along with a separate €20 million call for monitoring tools that can detect damage and track conditions under the sea. Further funding of €267 million will be made available in 2026 and 2027 for priority projects.
Finally, the Commission launched a €20 million call that focuses on faster cable repairs. Repair equipment will be placed at ports and shipyards so cables can be fixed quickly when damage occurs. The first pilot will focus on the Baltic Sea, where cable disruptions have increased in recent years.
