An RAF jet carrying UK Defense Secretary John Healey experienced GPS signal jamming for its entire three-hour flight near the Russian border, according to multiple reports. The incident occurred on Thursday as Healey returned from visiting British soldiers in Estonia.
Key Takeaways
An RAF jet carrying UK Defense Secretary John Healey had its GPS signal jammed for three hours while flying near the Russian border. The incident is believed to be linked to Russia, as pilots had to use alternative navigation systems. This follows recent dangerous intercepts of an RAF spy plane by Russian jets over the Black Sea.
The electronic attack disabled smartphones and laptops onboard, forcing pilots to rely on alternative navigation systems. It is believed that Russia was behind the interference, though it remains unclear whether Healey was deliberately targeted. The flight path of the Dassault Falcon 900LX aircraft was visible on tracking websites, as reported by The Times.
Passengers, including photographers and a reporter, were assured that the aircraft could operate safely despite the interference. This incident follows recent dangerous intercepts by Russian jets of an RAF spy plane over the Black Sea last month. A Russian Su-35 flew close enough to trigger emergency systems on the British reconnaissance aircraft, while a Su-27 performed six passes within six meters of the unarmed Rivet Joint's nose.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) described these actions as the most dangerous since 2022 when a Russian pilot fired a missile at a Rivet Joint. Healey praised the RAF crew's professionalism and reiterated the UK's commitment to defending NATO allies against Russian aggression. This incident echoes a similar GPS jamming event in March 2024 involving an RAF plane carrying then-Defense Secretary Grant Shapps.
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