Source: European Union 2 Published on: 2026-06-23
HaDEA is now launching the second call for proposals for emergency submarine cables repair modules (CEF-DIG-2026-CABLE-REPAIR-CAPACITIES).
In February, priority was given to the Baltic Sea, with call evaluation currently ongoing. While this second call funds the same activities, the geographical coverage has been extended to more sea basins of the Union: Mediterranean and Atlantic, including EU Outermost Regions, where connectivity relies heavily on submarine cables.
The CEF-Digital programme is committed to enhancing the EU emergency response capacities and the resilience of backbone networks’ infrastructures. It does so by supporting the development of adaptable repair modules for swift repair operations. This will enable a quick response to incidents in case market players are not able to carry them out and that could severely impact the Union or its Member States.
This call targets public organisations with an emergency response mandate such as entities active in the civil protection, national emergency response agencies, coastguards and military navies. The Member State concerned must confirm the nature of the applicant in its Letter of Support.
What will be funded?
This call funds modular equipment to be plugged-in on vessels for the repair of telecom submarine cables. To make sure that the equipment will be ready for intervention, applicants should identify at least three vessels that are or will be pre-configured for receiving the modules.
The modules would be hosted in ports or shipyards with the capacity to install them on board of ships within a maximum of 3 days from arrival of the vessel at the port/shipyard, following a request by the Regional Surveillance Hub or any other competent authority.
Deadline for applications: 8 October 2026– 17.00 CEST
The Info Day to unveil details of this call to potential applicants will be held on 2 July 2026 from 9.30am to 12.00 (CEST). Click on this link to connect to the Info Day (no registration needed).
Background information
Various sources mention an average of 200 failures per year globally across the 600 cable systems spanning up to 1.5 million km on the seabed. Lately concerns about deliberate disruptions in this critical infrastructure of the EU have increased. While submarine cables are more commonly damaged unintentionally, recent incidents suggest that this critical infrastructure could be the target of deliberate hostile acts. By disrupting connectivity, essential functions and services may be discontinued in the EU-served areas, affecting the daily lives of citizens and representing a significant risk to the security of the EU and its Member States.
On 21 February 2025, the Joint Communication of the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy adopted the “EU Action Plan on Cable Security”. CEF-Digital is expected to be one of the funding instruments supporting the EU Action Plan on Cable Security.
Additional info and useful links
Press release: Work Programme and cable security Toolbox
Connecting Europe Facility – CEF Digital
Connecting Europe Facility – Implementation by HaDEA
• Connecting Europe Facility 2