GPS Interference

GPS interference refers to deliberate or unintentional disruption of Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, which are crucial for navigation in aircraft, ships, and ground transport systems. It has become a growing cybersecurity and safety challenge, especially in geopolitically sensitive or congested regions.

Types of GPS Interference

1. GPS Jamming

• Definition: The use of devices that emit strong radio signals on GPS frequencies to overpower legitimate satellite signals.

  Effect: GPS receivers are blinded and unable to determine location or time.

  Result: Loss of navigation, automatic tracking, or timing data.

  Common Uses: Military disruption, smuggling, or blocking surveillance; increasingly found in conflict zones and near sensitive borders.

2. GPS Spoofing

• Definition: Sending false GPS signals to mislead receivers into calculating incorrect position or time.

  Effect: Aircraft, ships, or vehicles can be tricked into navigating off-course, believing the data is accurate.

  Result: Potential for dangerous misrouting, vessel collisions, or even hijacking-style cyberattacks.

  Example: A ship may be made to believe it's far from shore while it's actually approaching shallow waters.

Real-World Incidents (2024–2025)

• Air India Express (Delhi–Jammu): Flight was forced to return to Delhi after encountering GPS interference, likely jamming or spoofing.

  Strait of Hormuz: Two oil tankers collided at the narrow maritime chokepoint earlier this month, reportedly due to navigation failure caused by GPS spoofing.

  Port of Jeddah (May): A container ship ran aground, disrupting port operations. Investigation pointed to signal distortion or interference.

Why Is GPS Interference Increasing?

• Geopolitical Tensions: Areas like the Middle East, South China Sea, and Eastern Europe are hotspots for jamming/spoofing due to military rivalries.

  Availability of Technology: GPS jammers and spoofers are increasingly cheap and accessible on the black market.

  Lack of Regulation: Many regions lack strong international enforcement or anti-jamming technology requirements.

Why Is GPS Interference Dangerous?

• Aviation Risk: Aircraft may miscalculate position, risking collision with terrain or other aircraft.

  Maritime Risk: Ships can be misled into groundings or collisions, causing port disruption and shipping delays.

  Cascading Failures: Critical infrastructure like air traffic control, port operations, and vessel traffic systems (VTS) can face systemic breakdowns.

  Land-based Transport: Spoofing could immobilize road transport or create traffic gridlocks during emergencies or conflict.

Mitigation and Safety Measures

• Multi-GNSS Receivers: Use of alternative satellite systems like GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), and BeiDou (China) can reduce reliance on GPS alone.

  Anti-Jamming Antennas: Modern receivers are being equipped with directional antennas and filtering systems to reject jamming signals.

  Inertial Navigation Systems (INS): Aircraft and ships may use INS to navigate without GPS for short periods.

  International Coordination: ICAO and IMO are pushing for global monitoring systems and shared threat databases.

NavIC: India’s Indigenous Satellite Navigation System

What is NavIC?

• NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) is India’s indigenous satellite-based navigation system developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

  Provides accurate position and timing services across India and up to 1,500 km beyond its borders.

Why Was NavIC Developed?

Historical Triggers:

• Kargil War (1999):

  • The US denied India access to GPS data critical for tracking enemy positions.

• Missile Test Failures (2009 & 2012):

  • India's BrahMos missiles missed targets after the US withdrew GPS access without notice.These incidents exposed India’s vulnerability due to dependence on foreign GPS systems.

Strategic Importance of NavIC

• Sovereign Control: India no longer depends on foreign systems for defence, disaster response, or critical infrastructure.

  Reliable Military Application: Successfully deployed in military operations like Operation Sindhoor.

  Secure Communication: Less susceptible to jamming or spoofing compared to open GPS.

  Dual-Use System: Offers military-grade encrypted signals and civilian services.

Conclusion

GPS interference — through jamming or spoofing — is no longer just a military concern. It poses real-world risks to commercial aviation, shipping, and logistics, with growing instances of flights rerouted, ships misnavigated, and accidents caused. As the digital world and real world converge, protecting navigation systems is now a critical security priority.