A Royal Navy frigate is patrolling the North Sea amid warnings about ‘sabotage’ of European energy infrastructure.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed earlier this week a ship had been sent to ‘reassure’ workers in the gas industry.
A mystery explosion which ruptured two natural gas pipelines has put the issue of security around critical equipment in the spotlight.
Huge quantities of methane gas have leaked into the atmosphere after large quantities of explosive were used to blow apart pipes linked to Nord Stream 1 and 2.
The UK has not definitively pointed the finger of blame at any country over the incident but Kremlin involvement is widely suspected and the government has condemned a ‘blatant attacks against civilian infrastructure’.
HMS Somerset, a Type 23 frigate, is reportedly working alongside Norwegian Navy ships to patrol the area.
An unnamed naval source told The Times they are particularly interested in safeguarding oil rigs in the North Sea which move oil and gas to Britain and Scandinavia.
They said: ‘There are a number of uncertainties associated with that area and the infrastructure.
‘The likelihood of anything happening is remote but people are concerned and what better system to have than a ship that has good radar and good sonar?’
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen urged countries to step up protection of critical sites by conducting stress tests and deploying satellite surveillance.
She said: ‘The acts of sabotage against Nord Stream pipelines have shown how vulnerable our energy infrastructure is.
‘It is in the interest of all Europeans to better protect this critical infrastructure.’
Ben Wallace said this week Britain will acquire two specialist ships to protect undersea cables and pipes.
The defence secretary a ‘multi-role survey ship for seabed warfare’ would be operational by the end of next year.
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