A New War Begins on the Seabed, Drones Become the Weapon

The global arms race is now beginning to shift to an unusual battlefield. While land and air have traditionally been the primary areas of combat, the seabed is becoming a new frontier.

According to CNBC International, governments and defence companies are now racing to develop technology to monitor and protect underwater infrastructure, ranging from communication cables and oil and gas pipelines to electrical cables. This shift is occurring alongside growing concerns regarding sabotage and what is known as hybrid warfare—a form of conflict involving not only conventional weapons but also cyberattacks, energy sabotage, disinformation, and economic pressure.

Katja Bego, a senior researcher at Chatham House, stated that the changing threat landscape is bringing underwater security to the forefront. She noted that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), drones, and autonomous technology are enabling nations to enhance surveillance of underwater territories, noting that