Aviation security in India came under scrutiny after a suspected GPS spoofing incident disrupted flight navigation systems at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The National Security Advisor initiated a high-level probe to uncover the source of the interference and assess its potential risks to national security.
GPS Spoofing Threat to Aircraft Safety and Navigation Integrity
Pilots reported abnormal navigation signals during landing approach, which created concern about deliberate GPS manipulation near one of the country’s busiest airports. GPS spoofing deceives navigation systems by feeding false coordinates, and even a short-term disruption can compromise flight positioning accuracy.
India’s aviation authorities view the incident as a wake-up call. As IGI Airport manages heavy domestic and international air traffic, any attempt to tamper with satellite signals poses a direct threat to pilot decision-making during critical flight phases.
High-Level Security Review Launched to Identify Source
NSA directed specialized intelligence and cybersecurity units to investigate the interference pattern, signal origin, and potential involvement of foreign or domestic actors. The probe aims to determine whether the incident stemmed from experimental testing, malicious intent, or accidental signal overlap.
The government also involved the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Indian Air Force to assess broader aviation vulnerabilities. This multi-agency approach reflects serious concerns about national airspace safety.
