Janice R. Andrews
According to experts, Russia’s actions are seriously interfering with satellite navigation systems, which is having an effect on hundreds of European passenger aircraft.
The Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and eastern Mediterranean—regions where Russia’s military actions have been particularly intense—are the areas most impacted by this meddling.
Numerous occurrences have been recorded, such as the GPS signal jamming that occurred in March when an RAF jet carrying Defense Secretary Grant Shapps was approaching Russian territory.
Finnair, the national carrier of Finland, halted daily flights to Tartu, Estonia, citing GPS interference that affected the Tartu Airport’s GPS-only navigation.
Although more than 100 occurrences are reported by pilots each month, since most flights have access to alternate navigation systems, the disruptions are viewed as more of a nuisance than a direct threat to safety.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) attributes the meddling to Russia and cites a rising trend, with “several thousand incidents” every year.
Margus Tsahkna, the foreign minister of Estonia, claims that Russian meddling violates international accords and puts civilian planes and persons in danger.
There are reports of GPS problems affecting maritime traffic in the Baltic Sea.
It is hypothesized that Russia is testing its offensive capabilities in addition to taking defensive preparations against possible assaults, since Ukraine has already found drone strike alternatives to GPS.
Despite the fact that Russia has its own navigation system, GLONASS, GPS failures still endanger aircraft safety and other worldwide navigation systems, forcing the use of antiquated, ineffective methods.
Concerns over the wider effects of GPS interference on aviation and safety are highlighted by this circumstance, which has led to calls for an immediate stop to such operations before any disastrous outcomes happen.
