€347 Million Investment from the European Commission
The European Commission has unveiled a new package of tools to strengthen cable security, including risk mitigation measures and a list of European Interest Cable Projects (EICPs).
The Digital Work Programme of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) has also been updated to allocate €347 million to strategic submarine cable projects, including a €20 million call for proposals to boost Europe’s repair capabilities.
Submarine data cables, which carry 99% of intercontinental internet traffic, are vital for modern life and the European economy.
These latest financial commitments are part of the EU’s Cable Security Action Plan, aimed at enhancing the safety and resilience of Europe’s submarine cables.
The package outlines six strategic measures and four technical and support measures, based on the October 2025 risk assessment that identified key risk scenarios, threats, vulnerabilities, and dependencies.
To support submarine cable repairs, a €20 million CEF Digital call has been launched to fund adaptable repair modules. These modules will be deployed at ports or shipyards, enabling rapid service restoration. This is the first phase of a broader initiative covering all major EU maritime basins, including the Baltic, Mediterranean, and Atlantic.
Calls for proposals will be open only to public entities with an “emergency response” mandate, such as civil protection authorities, national emergency response agencies, coast guards, and naval forces.