Asia’s GPS jamming epicenter is located in Myanmar.
Flightradar24, the aircraft tracking website, displays a map showing red hexagons covering the southern region of the country, indicating areas with high levels of interference with satellite-guided navigation systems.
According to Flightradar24, GPS jamming saturates GPS receivers with unknown signals, degrading the ability to use GPS for navigation effectively. The service, founded by two Swedish aviation enthusiasts in 2006, operates the largest aviation surveillance network using ADS-B receivers.
The scrambled signals can lead to flight deviations, missed approaches, and potential collisions, particularly during critical phases like takeoff, landing, or in low visibility conditions.
The recent surge in large-scale GPS jamming is believed to be driven by nation-states aiming to protect military targets from satellite-guided missiles or drones.
The use of drones in attacks has reshaped Myanmar’s internal power dynamics, with both the military and opposition forces enhancing their capabilities. The military has upgraded its drone units with new technology, narrowing the technology gap.
Southern Myanmar now ranks among the top regions affected by GPS disruptions globally, alongside the Middle East and Ukraine-Russia war zones. Despite heavy jamming in these areas, there have been no reports of navigation disruptions by civilian or military aircraft.
In contrast, pilots flying over Europe have reported encountering fading satellite signals near conflict zones like the Baltic Sea and Ukraine. Military aircraft have also experienced GPS jamming incidents in these areas.
Aviation regulators are concerned about the rise in jamming and spoofing incidents and are focusing on ensuring pilots and crews are equipped to identify risks and safely navigate through affected areas.
Willie Walsh of IATA emphasized the importance of sharing Global Satellite Navigation System data among governments and regulatory agencies to enhance safety protocols for commercial airlines facing potential risks.