Myanmar Earthquake: Indian Air Force Relief Flights Targeted by GPS Spoofing Attacks, know how it was outsmarted

IAF Relief Missions bypass GPS Spoofing over Myanmar during relief operations

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Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft conducting vital earthquake relief operations in Myanmar though they were under cyber-attacks which manipulated their GPS signals, according to defence sources. These were the complex challenges IAf faced during humanitarian missions in sensitive geopolitical regions.

GPS Spoofing during Operation Brahma

The attacks targeted IAF C-130J 'Super Hercules' aircraft flying missions under "Operation Brahma," It was India's first initiative to provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) after a earthquake of 7.7 magnitude struck Myanmar on March 28. As per Defence sources GPS spoofing altered the aircrafts' real-time coordinate’s mid-flight, which mislead the primary navigation systems.

GPS spoofing is a form of electronic interference where counterfeit satellite signals overpower authentic ones, causing navigation equipment to display incorrect location data. Such attacks pose significant risks, potentially diverting aircraft from their intended flight paths.

Pilots had their Backup Systems in place

Despite the interference, IAF pilots successfully navigated the threat. Defence sources confirmed that upon detecting the spoofing, the aircrews immediately switched from the compromised satellite-based GPS to their onboard Inertial Navigation System (INS). The INS, utilise advanced ring-laser gyroscopes, which is a highly accurate positional data independent of external satellite signals. This allows the pilots to maintain safe navigation and successfully complete their critical missions.

Regional Context

Operation Brahma was launched shortly after the March 28 earthquake, which claimed thousands of lives and injured many more. India dispatched its first C-130J carrying 15 tonnes of essential supplies—including tents, medicines, and food—from Hindon airbase to Yangon on March 29. Subsequent flights involving both C-130Js and larger C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlifters delivered further aid, including materials for a field military hospital. 

The reason behind the GPS spoofing in Myanmar's airspace remains challenging. This specific region is known for complex geopolitical dynamics. Similar GPS spoofing incidents have been reported closer to home, with numerous cases documented near the India-Pakistan border, particularly around Amritsar and Jammu, since 2023.

The increasing prevalence of electronic warfare tactics, what the IAF needs are good back systems and well trained crew to handle these critical situations. The IAF's successful handling of the situation is laudable especially the humanitarian relief to earthquake affected Myanmar despite the technological threat.