GPS jammed on RAF jet carrying UK defence secretary close to Russian border | Russia
The signal of an RAF jet carrying Defense Secretary John Healey was disrupted for three hours during the flight as it approached the Russian border.
According to the Times report, Healey was visiting British soldiers in Estonia and was returning to England when the electronic attack occurred.
It is thought that Russia was behind the incident on Thursday.
Smartphones and laptops couldn’t connect to the internet, and the plane’s GPS was disabled so pilots had to use a different navigation system.
It is unclear whether Healey was deliberately targeted, but his flight path was visible on aircraft tracking websites.
Passengers, including photographers and a reporter, were told the Dassault Falcon 900LX aircraft could still fly safely.
Healey met with Estonian defense minister Hanno Pevkur in Tallinn to discuss long-term bilateral defense cooperation and strategic expansion.
On Wednesday the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said two Russian jets “repeatedly and dangerously” intercepted an RAF spy plane over the Black Sea last month.
A Russian Su-35 jet flew so close to the British reconnaissance aircraft that it triggered its emergency systems, including disabling the autopilot.
A Russian Su-27 also flew six meters over the nose of the unarmed Rivet Link and made six passes in front of it.
The Ministry of Defense said it was the most dangerous Russian action against a British Rivet Joint aircraft since a plane launched a missile over the Black Sea in 2022.
The Rivet Link is a spy plane with a crew of up to 30, capable of a wide range of electronic surveillance at a range of approximately 150 miles, and monitors Russian activities as part of a NATO patrol.
In March 2024, the GPS signal of an RAF plane carrying then defense secretary Grant Shapps was disrupted while flying near Russian territory.
The satellite signal of the plane returning from Poland to England was interfered with for approximately 30 minutes.
Last month, Healey revealed that the UK was tracking three Russian submarines that roamed over critical undersea infrastructure in the North Atlantic for a month before departing.
“I would like to recognize the extraordinary professionalism and courage of the RAF crews who continued their duties despite these dangerous actions,” he said.
“Let me be very clear: this incident will not deter the UK’s determination to defend NATO, our allies and our interests against Russian aggression.”
