War and Data Centers Are Driving Up the Cost of Fiber Optic Cable

2 days ago

Fiber-optic cable enables long-range drone control by avoiding electronic jamming, initially as a cost-effective tactic.
Russia and Ukraine extensively use fiber-optic drones, but discarded cables now litter fields, and costs have risen sharply.
Prices for fiber-optic cable have surged due to high demand from data centers (e.g., for AI infrastructure) and ongoing wars.
Ukraine and Russia rely heavily on Chinese cable imports, with prices jumping from $2.33/km in 2025 to $5.83/km in 2026.
Countermeasures like spinning barbed wire fences are being developed to sever cables dragged by drones.
Alternatives like Starlink for drones are becoming more cost-effective than fiber-optic spools for long-range attacks.
Despite rising costs and new defenses, fiber-optic drones continue to be used in conflicts, including by Iran in the Gulf.

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