GPS jamming: how is Europe responding?

Radio signals hijacked, pilots losing navigation, ships drifting off course - for many European nations, these scenarios are no longer far-fetched but pressing realities. Last year, Lithuania noticed a staggering 60% jump in GPS interference, which set off alarm bells across the continent.

And when eight European nations - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, Finland, and France recently filed formal complaints to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) about Russia’s suspected involvement, it was a loud, clear message: Europe’s navigation backbone is being challenged like never before.

A growing threat: GPS disruptions on the rise

For most of us, GPS is invisible yet indispensable. We rely on it for everything - our morning commutes, flight navigation, emergency response, and even the precise timing that keeps our phones and banking systems running smoothly. But that very infrastructure is under assault.

Pilots flying near Finland, Poland, and the Baltic states are experiencing so many GPS signal hiccups that they sometimes revert to decades-old navigation methods. Meanwhile, maritime operations in the North Sea and Mediterranean are reporting costly shipping delays. It’s a clear sign that no industry or public service is off-limits to this wave of interference.

Who’s behind it, and why?

The motives behind these disruptions are as complex as they are unsettling. On the one hand, Russia stands accused of using electronic warfare along NATO’s eastern flank, turning GPS jamming and spoofing into a geopolitical tool. 

On the other hand, organized crime groups are also harnessing this technology, using GPS jammers to operate under law enforcement’s radar. Add in the wildcard of expanding 5G networks - which can bring their interference issues - and you have a rapidly escalating situation that demands immediate, coordinated answers.

Europe’s current response: stuck in low gear

European institutions are paying attention, but their actions haven’t matched the scope or speed of the threat. Yes, the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) have acknowledged the gravity of the situation. However, the EU Cybersecurity Strategy only lightly touches on the possibility of intentional radio-frequency sabotage.

Galileo, Europe’s homegrown satellite navigation system, was meant to be a game-changer. But its slow rollout leaves the continent heavily dependent on external GPS networks. Compared to the more forceful measures taken by the United States and China, Europe’s approach feels cautious—maybe too cautious.

Immediate steps: what needs to happen right now

First and foremost, the EU must mandate anti-jamming technology in the most critical sectors - aviation, maritime transport, and emergency services. The risk is simply too great to ignore.

Creating a central interference tracking center (similar to the U.S. Volpe Center) would help Europe move faster in spotting and countering threats. Finally, NATO and EU defense entities need to collaborate more effectively to push back against adversarial activities.

Speeding up Galileo’s full deployment is non-negotiable. Its robust, encrypted signals can help shield Europe from hostile interference. Financial incentives and stricter rules would encourage industries to adopt Galileo quickly.

Lastly, in order to shape global standards - from spectrum allocation to navigation protocols - the EU needs a strong, united voice at the ITU and other international forums.