Sweden's government says the country will contribute up to three warships to a NATO effort to increase the alliance’s presence in the Baltic Sea as it tries to guard against sabotage of underwater infrastructure.

Stockholm reveals it will contribute up to 3 warships, ASC 890 surveillance aircraft, coast guard resources to bolster NATO’s presence - Anadolu Ajansı

NATO countries will deploy frigates, patrol aircraft and naval drones in the Baltic Sea to help protect critical infrastructure and reserve the right to take action against ships suspected of posing a security threat,

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte says the alliance is launching a new mission to protect undersea cables in the Baltic Sea region

Sweden will increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea through the deployment of three warships and a radar reconnaissance aircraft in response to the suspected sabotage of several underwater cables,

Sweden will contribute three warships and an ASC 890 surveillance aircraft to NATO's efforts in the Baltic Sea, aiming to protect against sabotage of infrastructure. This marks Sweden's first military contribution as a NATO member.

The Baltic Sea operation in the region bordering Russia comes as European fears of sabotage mount after a string of disruptions to underwater cables.

The NATO military alliance said Tuesday it would launch a Baltic Sea monitoring mission following the suspected sabotage of undersea cables in recent months.

On Wednesday, the NATO Naval Command announced that two ships would be deployed to the Gulf of Finland as part of the new Baltic Sentry mission, established at Tuesday's meeting of Alliance representatives in Helsinki.

As many as 30 international cables are laid on the bottom of the Baltic Sea, including crucial energy bridges and telecommunication connections vital for security. Additionally, there are six gas pipelines.