GPS Interference Threatens Global Navigation for Flights and Ships

GPS Interference Latest News

• Recent incidents—including a Delhi-Jammu flight turning back, a tanker collision at the Strait of Hormuz, and a container ship grounding near Jeddah—were all caused by GPS interference, which has now become a major threat to global aviation and maritime navigation.

About GPS Interference

• GPS interference refers to deliberate cyber-attacks that disrupt or deceive Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, affecting navigation for aircraft, ships, and other vehicles.

Types of GPS Interference

• GPS Jamming
  • Involves the use of a jammer device that emits strong radio signals on GPS frequencies.
  • These signals overpower the weaker satellite signals, causing GPS receivers to lose location and time data.
  • This is a form of signal disruption.
• GPS Spoofing
  • Uses a device to transmit false signals that mimic those from GPS satellites.
  • It deceives receivers into accepting incorrect location or time data.
  • Unlike jamming, spoofing doesn’t block signals—it manipulates them.
• While often used interchangeably, jamming disrupts GPS functionality, whereas spoofing misleads the receiver. 
• Both pose serious threats to navigation and safety in air and sea operations.

Dangers Associated with GPS Interference

• GPS interference poses a serious threat to both civilian and military operations, enabling remote disruption without physical confrontation.
• In 2024, there were reports of up to 700 GPS spoofing incidents daily worldwide, underlining the scale and urgency of the threat.

Risks to Aviation and Maritime Safety

• Spoofing can mislead pilots, causing incorrect position judgments and increasing the risk of collisions with terrain or other aircraft.
• For ships, loss of GPS accuracy can lead to groundings, collisions, and disruption of maritime operations, including port functions.
• GPS spoofing isn’t limited to air and sea—it can also disrupt road navigation, leading to traffic jams and paralyzing transport systems, particularly during emergencies.

Impact on Critical Infrastructure

• Air traffic control, port operations, and vessel traffic systems (VTS) are highly dependent on GPS.
• Interference can cause systemic failures in these sectors, with wide-ranging safety and operational consequences.

Multiple Causes of GPS Interference

• GPS interference can arise from both natural and intentional sources, including:
  • Electromagnetic radiation from nearby devices
  • Ionospheric disturbances and solar flares
  • Deliberate jamming and spoofing in conflict zones
• Countries with advanced electronic warfare capabilities—especially those involved in active conflicts—are often responsible for intentional interference. 
• While military in intent, civilian vessels and aircraft nearby can also be affected.

Hotspots of GPS Interference

• Persian Gulf and Red Sea
  • Maritime GPS interference has surged due to regional tensions.
  • Windward’s Q1 2025 data shows a 350% increase in spoofing in the Red Sea compared to 2024.
  • Vessels reported sudden jumps of hundreds of nautical miles.
• Eastern Europe
  • Ongoing Russia–Ukraine war has led to frequent GPS spoofing incidents, especially affecting airspace safety.

How Aircraft Mitigate GPS Interference

• Use of Backup Navigation Systems
  • Inertial Navigation Systems (INS): Uses gyroscopes and accelerometers to calculate position from the last known location.
  • VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME): Ground-based radio navigation aids that help pilots cross-check their position.

• Other Navigation Techniques
  • Dead reckoning and celestial navigation are rare but can be used in extreme cases.
    • Dead reckoning – the process of calculating one’s position by estimating the direction and distance travelled.
  • Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) remain unaffected by spoofing and ensure safe landings.
• Crew Training and Communication
  • DGCA mandates enhanced crew training to identify and respond to spoofing threats.
  • Pilots are encouraged to monitor control room chatter for early warning signs.

How Ships Handle GPS Spoofing

• Manual Navigation During Spoofing
  • Ships typically operate on autopilot using GPS, but spoofing forces a switch to manual helm control.
  • Terrestrial navigation using lighthouses, radars, and paper charts ensures continued situational awareness.
• Adoption of Multi-GNSS Systems
  • Ships increasingly rely on multi-constellation Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), which includes:
    • U.S. GPS
    • Russia’s GLONASS
    • EU’s Galileo
    • China’s Bei Dou
  • This diversification reduces dependency on a single system and enhances resilience.

Conclusion

• Mitigating GPS interference involves a multi-layered approach:
  • Redundant systems in aircraft
  • Manual navigation and GNSS diversification in ships
  • National autonomy through indigenous systems like NavIC
• This strategy ensures continuity, safety, and sovereignty in navigation and critical operations.

Source: IE | BBC

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