Published on: December 2, 2025

GPS SPOOFING

GPS SPOOFING

NEWS – GPS spoofing, interference reported at seven major airports

WHAT IS GPS SPOOFING?

GPS Spoofing = Sending fake GPS signals to mislead an aircraft’s navigation system.

  • Aircraft use GNSS (GPS/Galileo/GLONASS) for:
    • Approach and landing
    • Position, altitude, direction
    • Flight path management

In spoofing → A device transmits strong, false GPS signals → aircraft may believe it is at a wrong location.

HOW GPS SPOOFING IS DONE

GPS spoofing is done using spoofers or SDR (Software Defined Radio) transmitters:

  1. A spoofer generates a stronger fake GPS signal than real satellites.
  2. Aircraft GPS receiver locks onto the fake signal.
  3. The false signal manipulates:
    • Aircraft position
    • Speed
    • Altitude
    • Navigation routes

This is different from GPS jamming, which blocks GPS signals.
Spoofing = feeding wrong signals, not blocking.

WHY IS IT DANGEROUS?

  • Aircraft can drift off the real flight path.
  • Can mislead approach procedures during landing.
  • Causes alerts in cockpit systems.
  • Threat to aviation safety & national security.

WHAT DID THE GOVT REPORT?

GPS spoofing & interference incidents occurred at 7 major airports:

  • Delhi
  • Bengaluru
  • Mumbai
  • Kolkata
  • Amritsar
  • Hyderabad
  • Chennai

No impact on movements of flights, because contingency procedures were followed.

The Wireless Monitoring Organisation (WMO) is tracking spoofing sources near runway zones.

 KEY POINTS FROM GOVT STATEMENT

  • DGCA mandated airlines to report GPS jamming/spoofing since Nov 2023.
  • Regular incidents now being reported from these airports.
  • AAI asked WMO to identify exact sources.
  • Cybersecurity upgrades implemented at national aviation networks.

SIGNAL SABOTAGE (FROM ARTICLE)

  • GPS/GNSS spoofing/jamming = attempt to manipulate an aircraft’s navigation by giving false signals.
  • WMO mobilised resources to detect interference near runways.
  • Incidents reported from Delhi to Chennai since late 2023.

CONTINGENCY PROCEDURES

When spoofing is detected on final approach, pilots follow standard procedures:

  1. Switch to Conventional Navigation Aids

Aircraft revert from GPS to:

  • ILS (Instrument Landing System)
  • VOR / DME
  • Localizer & Glide Path signals
    • These are ground-based and not affected by spoofing.
  1. Abort Approach (Go-Around) if Needed

If navigation becomes unreliable:

  • Pilot climbs back
  • Re-attempts landing using backup aids
  1. Use ATC Assistance

Air Traffic Control provides:

  • Radar vectors
  • Altitude instructions
  • Visual approach guidance
  1. Cross-check Multiple Instruments

Pilots compare:

  • GPS
  • Inertial Navigation System (INS)
  • Map displays
  • Autopilot inputs
  • Cockpit warnings
  1. Follow Predefined SOPs for GNSS Interference

DGCA has SOPs for:

  • GPS loss
  • GPS spoofing alerts
  • GPS “RAIM” failure
  • Switching to alternate sensor modes

Because these steps were followed, flight movements were not affected.

ADDITIONAL CYBERSECURITY MEASURES MENTIONED

  • DGCA’s Minimum Operating Network (MON) retained for redundancy.
  • AAI deploying advanced cybersecurity systems.
  • Actions coordinated with:
    • National Cybersecurity Centre
    • CERT-In