Silent Threat In Indian Skies? GPS Spoofing Bases Found In Neighbouring Countries, Cases Surge 200% | Exclusive
Silent Threat In Indian Skies? GPS Spoofing Bases Found In Neighbouring Countries, Cases Surge 200% | Exclusive Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: June 09
Silent Threat In Indian Skies? GPS Spoofing Bases Found In Neighbouring Countries, Cases Surge 200% | Exclusive Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 11:27 IST Sources said there is evidence suggesting such actors may be leveraging communications and airspace-related networks across multiple Asian countries, including Pakistan and Myanmar Rapid Read The findings come amid a sharp rise in GPS interference incidents affecting India's civil aviation sector. (AI generated image) Findings from different technical assessments conducted by Indian agencies indicate that bases used to execute GPS spoofing operations have been established in at least three of India’s neighbouring countries, with the required infrastructure already in place, top sources told News18. Sources within the cyber security grid also said there are indications of direct backing from cyber-attack groups based in one of India’s neighbouring countries. Such groups, known for carrying out similar threats, are being traced as part of the ongoing investigation, according to officials familiar with the assessment. The group is understood to specialise in the exact type of cyber operations currently being investigated and has previously been associated with sophisticated electronic and cyber-enabled attacks targeting critical infrastructure.
“In this context, I would like to point out that signs of GPS spoofing activity have been detected in flights traversing Asian network corridors, particularly along the ‘Express’ routes, within the airspace of specific locations and neighbouring regional countries," Khushhal Kaushik, ethical hacker and Director General of the Cyber Security Association of India, told News18. Sources said there is evidence suggesting that such actors may be leveraging communications and airspace-related networks across multiple Asian countries, including Pakistan and Myanmar, as part of their operational infrastructure. Officials cautioned that the assessment remains under investigation and that agencies are continuing to monitor for additional indicators before any final attribution is made. The findings come amid a sharp rise in GPS interference incidents affecting India’s civil aviation sector. Government data shows that reported cases have increased by more than 240 per cent on a monthly average basis, making GPS spoofing an emerging aviation security concern. Kaushik said there is growing concern that cyber attackers located in neighbouring regions could misuse space-based or satellite-supported network infrastructure to launch spoofing attacks. “The objective of such attacks could be to disrupt aviation systems, create safety risks, and damage the nation’s international reputation," he said.
According to information provided by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in Parliament earlier this year, airlines reported 2,354 GPS interference incidents between November 2023 and December 2025, followed by 623 incidents in just the first two months of 2026. The figures show that the average number of reported incidents rose from approximately 91 per month to 312 per month, representing an increase of about 244 per cent. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already issued advisories and operational procedures for reporting Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference events, while the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has coordinated with the Wireless Monitoring Organisation (WMO) to investigate reported cases. What Is GPS Spoofing and Why Is It Dangerous? GPS spoofing is a form of electronic or cyber attack in which counterfeit satellite navigation signals are transmitted to deceive a receiver into calculating an incorrect location, speed, altitude or time. Unlike GPS jamming, which blocks navigation signals, spoofing manipulates them. In aviation, this can cause aircraft systems to display false positioning information, potentially affecting navigation, flight planning and situational awareness. What Can Be Done? According to Kaushik, who has worked with the armed forces and central agencies, vulnerable systems must be strengthened.
“Our primary focus must now be on identifying vulnerabilities and fortifying affected systems. Unless these security gaps are addressed, such attacks could recur, posing a persistent threat to operational safety, national security and the country’s reputation," he said. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Ankur Sharma Associate Editor With more than 17 years in journalism, Ankur Sharma is an Associate Editor specializing in internal security and strategic affairs. He covers the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitary forces, and cen... Read More First Published: June 09, 2026, 11:27 IST News india Silent Threat In Indian Skies? GPS Spoofing Bases Found In Neighbouring Countries, Cases Surge 200% | Exclusive Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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