Mystery Behind GPS Jamming and Spoofing: A Practitioner’s View
November 22, 2025 Lt Gen Madhavan Unnikrishnan Nair (Retd.)
The recent surge in GPS jamming and spoofing incidents across conflict affected regions has thrust a highly technical and often misunderstood domain of modern warfare into the international spotlight. India has not remained untouched by this trend. Reports of suspected GPS interference near the New Delhi airport have drawn public and policy attention toward a threat that, until recently, was largely confined to military and aviation specialists. Although these incidents appear enigmatic to many, they reflect long standing techniques within the realm of Electronic Warfare directed at degrading the reliability of satellite based navigation systems that underpin civil aviation, national security operations and critical infrastructure.
GPS jamming occurs when powerful radio frequency signals are transmitted within the GPS spectrum, overpowering the extremely weak signals received from satellites orbiting thousands of kilometres above the earth. The success of such interference depends on transmitter strength, antenna performance, altitude and line of sight. Even small jamming devices can disrupt reception over several kilometres, while professionally operated systems are capable of affecting aircraft flying at considerable heights. Spoofing presents an even more complex challenge. Instead of blocking signals, it sends counterfeit ones that imitate authentic satellite transmissions while embedding incorrect position or timing data. The receiver is deceived into locking onto the false signal, resulting in navigation errors that can compromise the safety and situational awareness of aircraft, ships, ground transportation systems and digital infrastructure sectors that rely on precise timing.
These techniques represent classic Electronic Warfare operations. Although some modern frameworks describe them within broader cyber electromagnetic activities because they ultimately affect digital systems, they are in practice operationally distinct from cyber operations. Their execution, detection and mitigation demand expertise that lies squarely in the military domain. While civil aviation systems employ safeguards such as integrity monitoring and inertial navigation backups, no amount of encryption or reliance on alternative satellite constellations including the indigenous NavIC can fully eliminate vulnerabilities because the core challenge stems from the physical characteristics of space based radio signals.
The ability to locate jamming sources already exists within the armed forces through mature direction finding capabilities developed for operations along India’s borders. Spoofing detection, however, requires advanced analytical tools such as multi antenna systems, cross sensor correlation and continuous monitoring of signal quality. Establishing such systems around major airports and critical infrastructure is essential for building national resilience. As the threat grows more sophisticated, India’s most effective path forward is to draw upon the operational experience of its armed forces who routinely handle such challenges in high tension environments. Their leadership in detection, response and national level coordination will be indispensable for safeguarding both civilian and military navigation systems in an era where GPS interference has become a strategic instrument of influence and disruption.
GPS jamming occurs when powerful radio frequency signals are transmitted within the GPS spectrum, overpowering the extremely weak signals received from satellites orbiting thousands of kilometres above the earth. The success of such interference depends on transmitter strength, antenna performance, altitude and line of sight. Even small jamming devices can disrupt reception over several kilometres, while professionally operated systems are capable of affecting aircraft flying at considerable heights. Spoofing presents an even more complex challenge. Instead of blocking signals, it sends counterfeit ones that imitate authentic satellite transmissions while embedding incorrect position or timing data. The receiver is deceived into locking onto the false signal, resulting in navigation errors that can compromise the safety and situational awareness of aircraft, ships, ground transportation systems and digital infrastructure sectors that rely on precise timing.
These techniques represent classic Electronic Warfare operations. Although some modern frameworks describe them within broader cyber electromagnetic activities because they ultimately affect digital systems, they are in practice operationally distinct from cyber operations. Their execution, detection and mitigation demand expertise that lies squarely in the military domain. While civil aviation systems employ safeguards such as integrity monitoring and inertial navigation backups, no amount of encryption or reliance on alternative satellite constellations including the indigenous NavIC can fully eliminate vulnerabilities because the core challenge stems from the physical characteristics of space based radio signals.
The ability to locate jamming sources already exists within the armed forces through mature direction finding capabilities developed for operations along India’s borders. Spoofing detection, however, requires advanced analytical tools such as multi antenna systems, cross sensor correlation and continuous monitoring of signal quality. Establishing such systems around major airports and critical infrastructure is essential for building national resilience. As the threat grows more sophisticated, India’s most effective path forward is to draw upon the operational experience of its armed forces who routinely handle such challenges in high tension environments. Their leadership in detection, response and national level coordination will be indispensable for safeguarding both civilian and military navigation systems in an era where GPS interference has become a strategic instrument of influence and disruption.
About the Author:
Lt Gen Madhavan Unnikrishnan Nair, SM (Retd.) is the former National Cybersecurity Coordinator, Government of India and served as the Former Signal Officer in Chief, Indian Army
Note:
The Op-ed reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the views of the organisation.
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