When the maps fail... GPS jamming disrupts navigation and movement in the Gulf

Al-Jazeera reports that electronic jamming and spoofing of satellite navigation have begun to disrupt civilian life and transport across the Gulf.

“The effects of electronic jamming on positioning systems have begun to appear clearly in the Gulf region, with warnings to mariners, reports of disruptions to aviation, and complaints from users of navigation apps and delivery services—an indication that electronic warfare has started to extend to civilian navigation and daily life”

Al-Jazeera Net

Oman's Maritime Security Center issued an alert to seafarers, especially those heading far from Omani coasts, advising against relying entirely on the Global Positioning System (GPS) and urging mariners to carry and use a traditional navigational compass and other alternative navigation means.

Al-Jazeera Net

Al-Jazeera frames these disruptions as an extension of electronic warfare into civilian navigation.

The article links the disruptions to aviation and land-based services.

The flight-tracking platform Flightradar reported ongoing GPS signal spoofing affecting flights operating near UAE airspace, which can produce unrealistic flight paths or affect onboard navigation systems.

Al-Jazeera Net

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that jamming and spoofing represent an increasing danger to the safety of civil aviation, potentially causing aircraft to deviate from flight paths or suffer errors in determining geographic position and affecting some navigation and approach systems used during landings.

Internal reports from delivery and service companies indicated persistent location problems in Qatar and some Gulf states since March 8.

Users in Oman reported on social media that their navigation devices were being jammed this morning.

Data from Kpler indicated that rising incidents of satellite navigation signal spoofing in the Gulf have begun to affect ship movements.

“The effects of electronic jamming on positioning systems have begun to appear clearly in the Gulf region, with warnings to mariners, reports of disruptions to aviation, and complaints from users of navigation apps and delivery services—an indication that electronic warfare has started to extend to civilian navigation and daily life”

Al-Jazeera Net

Several tankers chose to reduce activity or wait before transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a passage through which about 20% of global oil trade passes.

Given the heavy reliance of aviation, maritime shipping, logistics services, and land transport on satellite-linked navigation, the article reports that navigation experts recommend returning to traditional guidance methods and using offline maps as a backup until navigation signals in the region stabilize.