tech
GPS jammed on RAF jet carrying UK defence secretary close to Russian border
Russia suspected of obstructing signal on flight bringing John Healey home from visit to British troops in Estonia
TL;DR
- An RAF jet carrying Defence Secretary John Healey experienced signal jamming for a three-hour flight near the Russian border.
- Smartphones and laptops aboard the Dassault Falcon 900LX were unable to connect to the internet, and GPS was disabled.
- Pilots used an alternative navigation system, and passengers were assured of the flight's safety.
- Russia is suspected to be behind the electronic attack, though it is unclear if Healey was deliberately targeted.
- This incident follows recent dangerous interceptions of RAF spy planes by Russian jets over the Black Sea.
- In March 2024, a similar GPS jamming incident occurred on an RAF plane near Russian territory carrying a previous Defence Secretary.