India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has shared concerning data regarding recent cases of GPS spoofing and jamming detected in Indian airspace. This growing threat, particularly observed in conflict zones across West Asia, is now affecting aircraft flying near Amritsar and Jammu, close to the Pakistan border.
Civil Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol announced in Parliament on Thursday that a total of 465 GPS spoofing incidents were reported in Amritsar, Jammu, and surrounding areas between November 2023 and February 2025. GPS spoofing involves broadcasting fake satellite signals to mislead aircraft navigation systems, causing pilots to receive incorrect location, direction, and timing data.
Civil Aviation Authority Issues Circular: Airlines Alerted
Minister Mohol recalled that India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a circular in November 2023, requiring all airlines to report such incidents. He also noted that NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) have been issued for regions frequently experiencing GPS disruptions, with airlines managing the situation in line with standard operating procedures.
He emphasised that guidelines from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are being followed, with alternative navigation systems in operation. In cases of GPS interference, pilots are maintaining flight safety by switching to ground-based navigation systems.
Pilots Sound the Alarm: Disruptions Spreading Westward
Some experienced pilots flying westward report an increasing frequency of GPS jamming and spoofing attempts. They note that GPS interference often begins after crossing the Iran-Pakistan border and continues until past Turkey. Similar incidents have also been observed in restricted areas of Russian airspace.
Many pilots state that when encountering such issues, they notify air traffic control (ATC) to have their aircraft’s position monitored via radar. Additionally, they rely on alternative solutions such as the DME-DME updating method for navigation.
AAI Implements Continuous Security Updates
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is continuously upgrading air traffic management systems to counter these threats. The DGCA’s circular provides pilots, aircraft operators, and air traffic controllers with a detailed action plan on how to handle GPS-related disruptions effectively.
