China Introduces a Powerful New Tool Amid Rising Incidents Involving Undersea Cables: A Colossal Radial Cutter

Submarine cables are among the most critical infrastructure elements today. Organizations and companies continue to develop these systems, with ambitious projects like the Meta cable, which is set to circle the Earth multiple times. Additionally, these cables have gained attention due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the tensions in the South China Sea. In these conflicts, incidents of cut cables have raised fears about potential Internet blackouts and their far-reaching implications.

While submarine cables are generally protected, ships can still damage them. China recently revealed a device specifically designed for cutting undersea cables. This is the first time a country has publicly announced a tool that can disrupt critical underwater networks.

Why are undersea cables important? More than 870,000 miles of undersea cables connect countries worldwide, with thousands of additional miles planned. The vast majority of communications in several countries rely on these cables. For instance, 95% of the U.S.’ communications depend on them, while 75% of China’s data is transferred through submarine cables.

Undersea cables are vital for Internet functionality, encompassing streaming services, artificial intelligence, and server operations. Notably, they’ve recently become even more important in conflict scenarios.

Countries engaged in conflict have recognized that damaging these cables, whether through ships or sophisticated techniques like sound attacks, can lead to severe consequences. Some incidents may be accidental. However, there’s always a lingering suspicion that a damaged submarine cable may result from an enemy attack.

The Chinese device. According to the South China Morning Post, the State Key Laboratory of Deep-Sea Manned Vehicles and the China Ship Scientific Research Center have developed a new powerful cable cutter. It’s described as “compact” and capable of cutting the world’s most advanced undersea communication and power lines.

Designed specifically for this purpose, the device can cut cables at depths of up to 13,000 feet. Although no cables are currently installed at these depths, engineers have created the device with a completely sealed titanium alloy casing to withstand the immense pressure of the deep sea.

This is the Haidou, an unmanned submersible capable of carrying the cable cutter.

The cutter’s specs. The device features a 1 KW motor. Additionally, it uses a 6-inch diamond wheel, which spins at 1,600 revolutions per minute, as its cutting tool. It’s designed as a hybrid between a radial arm saw and a drone, built to withstand extremely high pressures. China’s cutting tool can easily sever armored cables with layers of steel, rubber, and polymer coatings.

Moreover, Chinese engineers have designed the radial cutter to be integrated into both manned and unmanned submersibles. For instance, it could be used in vehicles like China’s Haidou and Striver. The Haidou is shaped like a fish, featuring eye and fin patterns, and is intended for exploration. For its part, the Striver is a manned submarine also designed for research and exploration.

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Global implications. Threatening to cut undersea cables isn’t new. However, this marks the first time that a country has officially announced the development of a tool specifically designed for this purpose. Creators claim that the tool was created for civilian applications, such as rescue operations and seabed mining.

However, the tool is causing alarm among governments worldwide. It could destabilize communications in times of crisis and be strategically employed during an attack. The implications extend beyond communications to all Internet-related services, including servers.

Consequences. When a cable is cut, communications can be quickly rerouted through alternate cables, which are typically designed for high bandwidth. As a result, there are generally no significant interruptions. However, repairing the damaged cable can be an expensive process. If multiple cables are severed, the overall connection may suffer more severely.

This situation has sparked a debate about the necessity of protecting critical infrastructure. In response, NATO has launched the “Baltic Sentry” mission to patrol sensitive areas using aircraft, drones, and warships. Additionally, several companies are offering advanced cable monitoring services. They’re aimed at addressing the critical issue of infrastructure protection and early detection to mitigate potential outages.

The fact that certain countries possess sophisticated tools for cutting undersea cables and influencing global geopolitics is clearly something to be worried about.

Images | Doug Bagg | AKAMGO yalms (Wikimedia Commons)

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