China Reveals Deep-Sea Cable-Cutting Device Capable of Disrupting Global Infrastructure

The device, designed for civilian use, raises international security concerns over its potential deployment in geopolitical conflicts.

China has developed a device capable of severing reinforced undersea cables at depths of up to 4,000 meters, twice the depth of existing cable infrastructure.
The technology, featuring a diamond-coated grinding wheel spinning at 1,600rpm, was officially disclosed in February 2025 through a Chinese-language journal.
While presented as a tool for civilian applications like seabed mining, the device's dual-use potential has sparked fears of its use in grey zone tactics during conflicts.
Recent incidents, including suspected cable sabotage near Taiwan and in the Baltic Sea, have heightened concerns about China's expanding underwater capabilities.
Experts warn the device could threaten critical global communications, including U.S. military infrastructure in the Pacific, such as near Guam.