An Indian Air Force C-130J delivering aid under Operation Brahma was hit by a GPS-spoofing attack while flying over Myanmar, defence officials report. The mission followed the deadly 7.7 earthquake that left more than 3,600 dead and thousands injured on March 28.
Mid-flight, the aircraft’s coordinates were spoofed, throwing off its navigation system. The IAF crew had to swiftly rely on the Internal Navigation System (INS) to maintain course. While no injuries occurred, the breach exposes serious risks in cross-border humanitarian missions.
Understanding GPS Spoofing and Its Critical Impact
GPS spoofing—a cyberattack that feeds fake satellite signals to mislead navigation systems—is on the rise, especially around conflict-prone areas. Defence experts have noted 465 such incidents near Amritsar and Jammu since late 2023, pointing to a growing pattern of aerial misdirection.
No formal attribution has been made, but defence experts believe the level of sophistication points toward state-sponsored cyber capabilities. Whether the goal was to test India’s response systems, sabotage humanitarian missions, or issue a warning remains unknown.
Future Focus: Shielding Aid Missions from Aerial Threats
The incident has sparked renewed debate over cybersecurity in military aviation—particularly during missions that balance diplomacy, disaster response, and conflict. Experts are urging the creation of global protocols that classify GPS spoofing as a form of cyber aggression capable of undermining vital humanitarian operations.
India’s ongoing commitment to regional peace and emergency response will now include tighter cybersecurity protocols, say defence officials, with future missions leveraging encrypted backups and alternative navigation systems to guard against spoofing and misinformation.
