Politicians are calling for strengthened military protection of the Shetland Isles after increased sightings of Russian trawlers off Scotland. A Daily Telegraph analysis also reported more than 500 incidents in which Russian boats were stationed above undersea cables linking Britain with Europe and the US. The cables carry the majority of telecoms data abroad, and there are also concerns that the £30m SaxaVord Spaceport could be a Russian target.
Analysis by the Daily Telegraph recently revealed more than 500 incidents where Russian boats were stationed above undersea cables linking Britain with Europe and the United States. A parliamentary report last year warned of security vulnerabilities in transport, supply chains, financial services and payment systems arising from the growing importance of undersea infrastructure.
In the past year there have been cable breaks in Shetland that disrupted internet services; in one case repairs took weeks. There has been no suggestion of Russian involvement, but the incidents have demonstrated the fragility of the cables.
First Minister John Swinney accused the UK government of leaving "Scotland's vast coastline dangerously exposed". He told BBC Scotland News that waters off Shetland are an area of significant Russian activity and that "I don't think we've got nearly the presence in those areas that we require today."
Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael, whose constituency includes Shetland, urged the UK government to step up efforts to protect critical infrastructure. Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, he said: “This is something we do need to be taking seriously. We're not expecting an imminent problem here but this is a time where the government is already telling us that we should all be keeping baked beans and a wind-up torch in a cupboard.” He said that over the last 20 years there had been just one local full-time soldier running a reserved unit in Shetland, but it was now managed from the Scottish mainland. Carmichael said there should be restoration of a full-time presence to support the unit.
Local history teacher and guide Jon Sandison said there were real concerns that Shetland could be attacked after Germany invaded Norway in 1940. Coastal defences were built to defend Lerwick and the rest of the archipelago, and he said coastal infrastructure was built quickly during the Second World War. He said the military presence reduced over the second half of the 20th century but “where we are in the UK is always going to be a pivotal geographical location.”
The UK government has invested £30m in SaxaVord Spaceport, the UK's first fully-licensed spaceport, located on the island of Unst. The German and UK governments have announced plans to use the site to deepen cooperation on space, and two German companies are in a race to be the first to test a rocket there. Chief executive Scott Hammond said: “We're at the heart of the UK government's plans for assured access to space.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "We are clear-eyed about the threat Russia poses. ... This government is also investing in the capabilities needed to meet those threats, with £1.5bn backing Atlantic Bastion to deliver a next-generation Hybrid Navy and a further £330m to strengthen the protection of critical undersea infrastructure."
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Shetland's position astride key undersea cables makes it strategically important for global internet traffic and financial systems.
- The development of the SaxaVord Spaceport adds a new national-security dimension to the debate about regional defence.
- The dispute between the Scottish and UK governments over military presence reflects wider tensions over how to respond to Russian activity near critical infrastructure.
Background
Shetland has long had a strategic military role, particularly during World War Two and the Cold War when radar stations monitored Soviet activity. The end of the Cold War led to a reduction in military presence. Recent Russian assertiveness and incidents involving undersea cables have revived security concerns.
Key Perspectives
First Minister John Swinney: Accused the UK government of leaving Scotland's coastline dangerously exposed and said the waters off Shetland do not have nearly the presence they require.
Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael: Urged the government to take the issue seriously, called for restoration of a full-time military presence, but said an imminent problem is not expected.
Ministry of Defence: Said the government is clear-eyed about the Russian threat and is investing £1.5bn in submarine capabilities and £330m to protect undersea infrastructure.
What to Watch
- Upcoming decisions on military deployments to the northern isles.
- The first rocket test from SaxaVord Spaceport by a German company.
- Any further cable damage incidents near Shetland.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedCalls for stronger Shetland defence followed increased sightings of Russian trawlers off Scotland.BBC Scotland: “Calls are being made for the defence of the Shetland Isles to be strengthened after increased sightings of Russian trawlers off the coast of Scotland.”
- SupportedA parliamentary report warned of security vulnerabilities in undersea infrastructure as politicians called for stronger protection of Shetland.BBC Scotland: “The growing importance of undersea infrastructure prompted a parliamentary report, external last year to warn of security vulnerabilities”
- SupportedThe Daily Telegraph reported more than 500 incidents in which Russian boats were stationed above undersea cables linking Britain with Europe and the US.BBC Scotland: “Recent analysis by the Daily Telegraph, external also revealed that there have been more than 500 incidents where Russian boats have been stationed above undersea cables linking Britain with Europe and the US.”
- SupportedThe cables carry the majority of telecoms data abroad.BBC Scotland: “These cables carry the majority of telecoms data abroad.”
- Partly supportedThere have been cable breaks in Shetland in the past year, disrupting internet services, and one repair took weeks.BBC Scotland: “And last year there were two cable breaks in Shetland, which disrupted internet services and, in one case, took weeks to repair.”
- SupportedJohn Swinney accused the UK government of leaving “Scotland's vast coastline dangerously exposed”.BBC Scotland: “First Minister John Swinney has accused the UK government of leaving "Scotland's vast coastline dangerously exposed".”
- SupportedSwinney said, “I don't think we've got nearly the presence in those areas that we require today.”BBC Scotland: “"I don't think we've got nearly the presence in those areas that we require today," he told BBC Scotland News.”
- SupportedAlistair Carmichael said, “This is something we do need to be taking seriously. We're not expecting an imminent problem here but this is a time where the government is already telling us that we should all be keeping baked beans and a wind-up torch in a cupboard.”BBC Scotland: “"This is something we do need to be taking seriously. "We're not expecting an imminent problem here but this is a time where the government is already telling us that we should all be keeping baked beans and a wind-up torch in a cupboard."”
- SupportedCarmichael said there had been just one local full-time soldier running a reserve unit in Shetland over the last 20 years, and that the unit was now managed from the Scottish mainland.BBC Scotland: “He said that over the last 20 years, there had been just one local full-time soldier running a reserved unit in Shetland but they were now managed from the Scottish mainland.”
- SupportedThere were concerns Shetland could be attacked after Germany invaded Norway in 1940.BBC Scotland: “Jon Sandison, a high school history teacher and Shetland tour guide, said there were real concerns that Shetland could be attacked after Germany invaded Norway in 1940, during World War Two.”
- SupportedThe £30m SaxaVord Spaceport could be a Russian target.BBC Scotland: “There are also concerns that the £30m SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland could be a Russian target.”
- SupportedThe Ministry of Defence said it is investing £1.5bn in Atlantic Bastion and a further £330m to protect critical undersea infrastructure.BBC Scotland: “This government is also investing in the capabilities needed to meet those threats, with £1.5bn backing Atlantic Bastion to deliver a next-generation Hybrid Navy and a further £330m to strengthen the protection of critical undersea infrastructure.”