Growing Threats to Undersea Cables in Taiwan and Indo-Pacific Region

Recent reports indicate a rising risk of attacks on undersea cables critical for digital connectivity in Taiwan and Australia. Taiwan has experienced multiple incidents of cable severance, particularly in 2025, attributed to vessels linked to Chinese interests. The Taiwan-Penghu No. 3 cable was severed by a Togo-flagged cargo ship, while cables connecting Taiwan with its Matsu Islands faced 27 severances from 2018 to 2022. A report from Australia's National Security College highlights the economic impact of potential disruptions, noting that 99% of Australia's international connectivity relies on submarine cables. The report calls for improved monitoring and repair capabilities to counteract these threats. The incidents are part of broader hybrid warfare strategies by state actors, particularly China and Russia, probing critical infrastructure. The situation poses severe risks to regional stability and global digital networks.

Key Points: • Taiwan's undersea cables have faced multiple severances, raising national security concerns. • Australia's reliance on submarine cables makes it vulnerable to economic disruptions from attacks. • State actors are actively targeting undersea infrastructure as part of hybrid warfare strategies.