NATO is increasing air and sea patrols in the Baltic Sea after a subsea gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia ruptured earlier this month in what authorities said may have been an act of sabotage.

The increased military measures include AWACS early-warning aircraft, maritime patrol planes and minehunter warships, NATO officials said.

Finnish police are investigating the damaged Balticonnector pipeline linking Finland and Estonia. It has cut off the gas flow between both countries until April at least. Officials in Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, said they also will probe the recent damage to a Baltic Sea telecommunications cable with Sweden as part of its investigation, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Earlier this year, NATO created an undersea infrastructure coordination cell and established the NATO Maritime Center for the Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure as part of NATO Maritime Command headquarters.

NATO said it will continue to “adapt its maritime posture” in the Baltic Sea as the investigations continue and will take all necessary steps to keep allies safe.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely, and we remain in close contact with our allies Estonia and Finland and our partner Sweden,” said NATO spokesman Dylan White.

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.