GPS jamming: Von der Leyen's flight to Bulgaria affected by interference signals

A flight by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to an appointment in Bulgaria was affected by apparently targeted disruptions to GPS satellite navigation. As reported by the Financial Times, the landing approach had to be made using analog map material as a result of the problems. Security circles suspect that the interference with the GPS signal originated in Russia. However, von der Leyen was able to keep her appointment as planned and later left Bulgaria again by plane.

According to the FT's anonymous sources, the issues are said to have occurred during the landing approach to Plovdiv. The city, which is centrally located in the southern half of Bulgaria, is far from the Black Sea, where such disruptions are to be expected and are commonplace due to Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. The entire airport area was impacted. This was also confirmed by Bulgarian air traffic control. The pilots initially waited to see if the disruption would stop, but then decided to land after an hour.

Disruptions are commonplace

Satellite navigation disruptions have been a daily occurrence since 2022, particularly in Ukraine and the Baltic Sea. In addition to jamming, where satellite signals can simply no longer be received, spoofing is also used. This involves transmitting false position data. There has been no official confirmation from Russia that it is superimposing the signals. However, there are clear indications that this is the case. However, when asked by the FT, the Kremlin denied having anything to do with the problems in Bulgaria.

Security experts view the development with concern. Pilots are trained to use other navigation methods. Nevertheless, they are required to exercise increased caution, which can compromise safety, especially in busy airspace. In addition to aircraft, ships, and land vehicles are also affected by the disruptions.

Visit to an ammunition factory

Von der Leyen came from Warsaw and met Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov in Bulgaria. She also visited an ammunition factory. Bulgaria plays a central role in Ukraine's military equipment. In addition to weapons systems from the Soviet era, the EU country also supplies newly manufactured products to Ukraine.

(mki)