IAF relief aircraft hit by GPS 'spoofing' in Myanmar skies

C130J Hercules

Indian aircraft deployed under Operation Brahma to provide rescue and relief supplies to earthquake-affected Myanmar since March 29 have encountered cyber-attacks involving "spoofing" of their satellite-based GPS signals.

According to a report by the Times of India, it is challenging to determine the forces behind the GPS spoofing of Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft in Myanmar’s airspace, where China has established significant strategic influence and where non-state militant groups are active against the regime.

GPS spoofing misleads pilots by providing incorrect coordinates regarding their location, which is a common concern in operational areas. To counter this, IAF pilots in Myanmar switched to their backup inertial navigation system (INS)—a highly accurate system utilizing the latest ring-laser gyroscopes—to successfully complete their missions.

Following the earthquake in Myanmar, India dispatched its first C-130J 'Super Hercules' aircraft carrying 15 tonnes of relief material from Hindon airbase to Yangon in the early hours of March 29. This initial flight was followed by six or seven additional flights by C-130Js and C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlift aircraft, which delivered various relief supplies, including a field military hospital. GPS spoofing poses significant dangers as it can divert aircraft off course, potentially leading to accidents.