The Swedish Transport Agency has raised alarm over a dramatic increase in GPS interference affecting aviation in the Baltic Sea region, warning that such incidents now occur almost daily. The agency has pointed to Russia as the source of the disruption.
According to newly released data, the number of interference incidents with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), including GPS, has soared:
| Year | Reported Incidents in Swedish Airspace (up to 18 August) |
| 2023 | 55 |
| 2024 | 733 |
Andreas Holmgren, head of aviation issues at the agency, stated to AFP: “We have conducted long-term analyses and collected comprehensive data. We can conclude that the interference is originating from Russian territory.”
The disturbances reported include:
- Spoofing – creating false positioning signals.
- Jamming – disrupting or blocking GNSS signals entirely.
Initially, interference was concentrated in eastern Swedish airspace over international waters, but it has since:
- Spread geographically across wider areas of Sweden.
- Expanded in scope to cover both land and sea regions.
Holmgren warned: “This is serious and poses a security risk for civil aviation, particularly considering the extent, duration and nature of the interference.”
The Swedish agency further reported that GPS jamming is not confined to aviation but also affects:
- Maritime navigation
- Critical infrastructure dependent on GNSS systems
This broadens the scope of risks to national security and regional stability.
In June 2024, Sweden and five Baltic Sea nations — Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland — raised the issue with the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), where Russia is a member state.
- The ICAO Council expressed grave concern and demanded Russia cease such interference immediately.
- Despite this, the Swedish agency noted, the interference has intensified rather than diminished.
The six nations now plan to escalate the matter further at the ICAO General Assembly this autumn.
The issue gained renewed urgency when a plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced GPS jamming on Monday while preparing to land in Bulgaria.
- Russia was suspected to be behind the interference.
- The aircraft landed safely, but the event highlighted the risks to senior officials and international travel.
This incident coincides with ongoing Western discussions about increased aid to Ukraine, as the war with Russia continues.
