What is GPS Spoofing?

The Centre informed Parliament that several airports across the country have reported GPS spoofing or counterfeit satellite signal incidents affecting aircraft navigation systems. Complaints were received from airports in Kolkata, Amritsar, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

Key Highlights

• Reports from Major Airports
  Aircraft operating near six major airports experienced suspected GPS spoofing or counterfeit satellite signals.
• AAI Seeks Source Identification
  Following the incidents, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) requested the Wireless Monitoring Organisation (WMO) to identify the source of interference or spoofing.
• WMO Mobilising More Resources
  The WMO has been instructed to deploy additional resources to trace the origin of the interference based on approximate spoofing-location data shared by DGCA and AAI.
• What is GPS Spoofing?
  • As defined by cybersecurity firm McAfee, GPS spoofing involves manipulating a GPS receiver by broadcasting false GPS signals.
  • This tricks the receiver into displaying incorrect coordinates, sometimes placing the device in an entirely different location.
  • In aviation, spoofed signals can mislead aircraft about their actual position and altitude, posing significant safety risks.