Chennai, Bengaluru among airports where aircraft encountered GPS spoofing

The Hindu
The Hindu
1w ago • 12 views
Multiple Indian airports, including Chennai and Bengaluru, reported GPS spoofing incidents affecting aircraft. The Airports Authority of India is investigating the sources of this interference.
Chennai, Bengaluru among airports where aircraft encountered GPS spoofing
A What happened
Reports of GPS spoofing affecting aircraft operations have emerged from multiple Indian airports, including Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. The Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, acknowledged that some flights encountered counterfeit satellite signals, which misled aircraft positions and terrain warnings. This issue has prompted the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to seek assistance from the Wireless Monitoring Organisation (WMO) to identify the sources of the interference. The incidents coincide with military exercises in the region, leading to speculation about their connection. Indian defense forces have issued alerts regarding possible GNSS signal disruptions near Mumbai and Kolkata, indicating a broader concern about air safety and the implications of GPS spoofing.

Key insights

  • 1

    Widespread GPS spoofing: Multiple airports reported similar GPS interference incidents.

  • 2

    Investigation initiated: The AAI has requested the WMO to trace the spoofing sources.

  • 3

    Military exercises suspected: Incidents may be linked to ongoing military activities in the region.

Takeaways

The reported GPS spoofing incidents raise significant concerns about aviation safety in India. Ongoing investigations will be crucial to ensure the integrity of navigation systems for aircraft.

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