Amid reports of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) jamming and spoofing over airspace in West Asia in the recent past, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a circular to airlines and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) ) on measures to deal with such threats.
This is fast emerging as a major safety hazard and the DGCA advisory aims to alert airlines of the nature of the threat and how to respond to it. The recent incidents mostly occurred in Iranian airspace. In late September, multiple commercial flights near Iran went off-course after their navigation systems went blind. One of the aircraft, which fell victim to spoofing, ended up almost flying into Iranian airspace without permission.
By September, 12 separate incidents had been reported with the latest one being reported near Ankara, Turkey on November 20.
The circular highlights the various geographical areas where it has been observed, and its potential impact on aircraft and ground-based systems. The committee since then had taken a stock of the situation, sensitised operators, and started discussions with leading experts from around the world on this sensitive subject. AAI is the country’s ANSP, and air traffic controllers also come under it.
The planes flying over parts of the Middle East initially receive a spoofed GPS signal. The primary area of concern is a busy airway in Northern Iraq and Azerbaijan with several incidents being reported near Erbil. GPS signal spoofing, which involves replacing a true satellite signal with a manipulated one, has been used to target civilian passenger flights. While GPS jamming is more common and easily detected, spoofing is not immediately apparent and can redirect aircraft off their intended course. Pilots are advised to disable GPS inputs if they suspect spoofing. Generally, GNSS spoofing and jamming refers to attempts to manipulate a user’s navigation system by giving false signals.
The circular provides comprehensive mitigation measures and action plans for aircraft operators, pilots, Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) and air traffic controllers.
This includes the development of contingency procedures in coordination with equipment manufacturers and assessing operational risk by conducting a safety risk assessment.
On October 4, 2023, the DGCA has constituted a committee for monitoring Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) spoofing in Indian airspace. The committee took stock of the situation, sensitised operators, and started discussions with leading experts from around the world on the subject.
In a statement, the DGCA said it has released an advisory circular on GNSS interference in the airspace.
It said the circular highlights the emerging threats of GNSS jamming and spoofing, the various geographical areas where it has been observed, and its potential impact on aircraft and ground-based systems.
After taking the inputs into account, DGCA said recommendations have been included in the circular for tackling the emerging threat considering the best practices, latest developments and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) guidance on the matter. It also provides for a mechanism for ANSP to establish a Threat monitoring and Analysis network in close coordination with DGCA for preventive as well as reactive threat monitoring and analysis of reports of GNSS interference to generate valuable insights with data and new developments so as to have a robust and immediate threat response.
According to DGCA, the aviation industry is grappling with uncertainties due to new threats and reports of GNSS jamming and spoofing.
