GPS Jamming Emerging as Major Warfare Tactic, Disrupting Ships and Aircraft

A growing tactic in modern warfare is creating serious concerns for global transportation and safety: GPS jamming.

As the war involving Iran escalates, ships operating in nearby waters have reported major disruptions to their navigation systems. In some cases, vessels suddenly appeared on navigation maps as if they were located at airports, power plants, or even on land.

The confusion is caused by jamming and spoofing of signals from global navigation satellite systems, including GPS. These systems are widely used to guide ships, aircraft, drones, and missiles.

Jamming works by flooding the same radio frequencies used by navigation satellites, preventing receivers from determining their position. Spoofing goes a step further by sending false signals that trick navigation systems into reporting an incorrect location.

Shipping intelligence firm Windward says more than 1,100 commercial vessels experienced navigation interference within the first day of the conflict in waters near the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Iran.

The disruptions have slowed traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route responsible for about 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas exports.

Experts say GPS interference has become increasingly common in conflict zones. The tactic has been widely used since the war in Ukraine, where both sides have relied heavily on drone technology guided by satellite navigation.

While militaries use jamming to disrupt enemy drones and missiles, the interference often affects civilian transportation systems as well.

Aviation officials say GPS disruptions affecting aircraft have increased dramatically in recent years. Data from the International Air Transport Association shows navigation signal loss incidents affecting aircraft rose more than 200 percent between 2021 and 2024.

Experts warn that as conflicts expand and more technology relies on satellite navigation, GPS interference could create growing risks for commercial shipping, aviation, and global supply chains.

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