RAF jet carrying UK defence secretary hit by sustained GPS jamming near Russian border
UK defence secretary’s RAF jet hit by sustained GPS jamming near Russian border
An RAF aircraft carrying UK Defence Secretary John Healey suffered three hours of continuous GPS jamming as it flew near the Russian border earlier this week, marking the most high-profile electronic attack on a Western military flight in recent months. The incident occurred during Healey’s return from a visit to British troops in Estonia, *The Guardian* and *The Times* reported .
The Royal Air Force crew navigated the entire flight using alternative systems after the GPS signal was obstructed, according to Finnish outlet *Helsingin Sanomat* . Polish and Romanian media confirmed the attack lasted the full duration of the three-hour journey, with no immediate technical failures reported . UK officials have not publicly attributed the jamming to Russia, but the timing and location strongly suggest Moscow’s involvement.
The incident follows a pattern of escalating electronic warfare in the region. Earlier this year, NATO reported a surge in GPS interference near the Baltic states, with civilian and military aircraft affected. The UK Ministry of Defence declined to comment on operational details but described the episode as "consistent with hostile electronic activity" .
In a separate development, a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III declared an in-flight emergency over Europe on Monday, safely landing at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The cause remains under investigation, though officials ruled out hostile interference . Meanwhile, US aerial refuelling and early-warning aircraft—including three KC-46A Pegasus tankers and an E-3 Sentry AWACS—remain active over the Persian Gulf, reflecting heightened operational tempo in the region .
The GPS jamming incident underscores the growing vulnerability of military aviation to electronic warfare, particularly in contested airspace. NATO has accelerated efforts to harden navigation systems against such attacks, but the Healey episode demonstrates the persistent threat. Meanwhile, Romania’s annual airshow at Boboc Air Base was cancelled for the second consecutive year, with authorities citing "security priorities" amid regional tensions .
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GPS jammed on RAF jet carrying UK defence secretary close to Russian border Russia suspected of obstructing signal on flight bringing John Healey home from visit to British troops in EstoniaAn RAF jet carrying the defence secretary, John Healey, had its signal jammed for the entire three-hour flight after it flew near the Russian border.Healey had been visiting British soldiers in Estonia and was travelling back to the UK when the electronic attack happened, the Times reported. Continue reading...
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