The alleged GPS jamming of a airplane carrying Ursula von der Leyen by Russia raises considerations about air journey – however have been there politics at play?
Jamming can overwhelm an plane’s GPS navigation techniques, stopping them from working correctly, leaving pilots to depend on different methods of discovering out the place they’re.
The EU chief’s plane was reportedly pressured to land at a Bulgarian airport utilizing ‘paper maps’ – after circling for an hour on Sunday.
The EU mentioned there was GPS jamming however the airplane was capable of land safely, including: “We have received information from Bulgarian authorities that they suspect this blatant interference was carried out by Russia.”
However the timing of the allegation of GPS jamming – one thing reported to be routine alongside the Russian border – days earlier than a vital assembly of European leaders to debate peacekeeping troops for Ukraine raises the query of why now?
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
1:37
Defined: How GPS jamming works
What’s GPS jamming?
GPS interference has develop into a recognized and widespread situation affecting plane over Europe lately, notably because the outbreak of the battle in Ukraine in 2022.
Specialists typically level the finger at Russia, saying that Moscow makes use of GPS interference to defend in opposition to Ukrainian drones however possibly additionally to trigger a nuisance for the West.
Jamming can overwhelm an plane’s GPS navigation techniques, stopping them from working correctly, leaving pilots to depend on different methods of discovering out the place they’re.
Picture:
A airplane transporting Ursula von der Leyen and her workers on Sunday. Pic: Reuters
What occurred to Ursula von der Leyen?
In response to the Monetary Instances, the ‘assault’ disabled GPS navigation companies at Plovdiv airport in Bulgaria on Sunday afternoon.
The realm is close to a recognized hotspot for GPS interference and blame was shortly levelled at Russia – a declare that Moscow denied. Russia has denied different situations of GPS jamming prior to now.
NATO chief Mark Rutte mentioned the alliance takes the jamming of GPS alerts “very seriously” and is working “day and night” to forestall that jamming, to make sure “they will not do it again”.
Comply with the World
Take heed to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim each Wednesday
Faucet to observe
Pilot: Airport is in a recognized GPS interference space
Sean Fitzpatrick is an skilled pilot who often flies via areas recognized for GPS interference. Certainly, he flew inside 40 miles of Plovdiv airport on the identical day as Ms Von der Leyen.
Whereas GPS jamming is a nuisance, pilots primarily flip off GPS receivers and depend on different aids just like the instrument touchdown system, Sean mentioned.
He added: “When I heard they were pulling out paper charts (to navigate) I’m like, why didn’t they just have an iPad?”
On condition that GPS jamming of flights close to the Russian border is reported to be routine, Sean was requested if the selection to disclose this explicit alleged incident to the media – so near the coalition of the prepared summit this week – was political.
“Based on the information I have, that’s what it looks like… Based on what I’ve seen and the information that’s available to the public and what I know as a professional… I think there’s a bit of politics and sensationalism.”
Picture:
A map of GPS interference ranges detected over Europe earlier this 12 months. Credit score: GPSjam.org
‘We will make your life troublesome’
Dr Thomas Withington, an knowledgeable on digital warfare on the RUSI thinktank, agreed that there could possibly be political angles to what occurred.
He added: “Politically, what you’re saying is ‘we’re here, we can make your life difficult’.”
He additionally spoke concerning the wider impression of GPS jamming – and the doable risks.
He referenced the Azerbaijan Airways flight in December, which was reportedly GPS jammed earlier than it was mistakenly shot down by Russian air defences, killing 38 individuals.
“If those (Russian) actions cause loss of life, particularly in a NATO nation, I think it should be made very clear that a military response would be considered for that.”
