A current improve in GPS interference incidents within the Mediterranean, Purple Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Persian Gulf has prompted substantial concern for maritime navigation and safety, Dryad International acknowledged in its newest Maritime Safety Menace Advisory (MSTA), which was launched this week.
“On 08 September 2024, UKMTO reported GPS interference within the japanese Mediterranean, north of the Suez Canal, which was linked to Israeli counter-threat measures,” Dryad famous within the MSTA.
“GPS interference within the Mediterranean Sea was additionally reported on 28 August 2024, when the U.S. Navy’s MQ-4C Triton drone flew an uncommon path, probably on account of persistent GPS interference alongside Lebanon and Syria’s coasts,” Dryad added.
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“Traditionally, the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz have been infamous for GPS jamming. In August 2024, ships reported GPS jamming off the coast of Iran. This area’s strategic significance makes it a hotspot for such incidents, typically linked to geopolitical tensions,” Dryad continued.
Within the MSTA, Dryad mentioned the growing sample of GPS jamming and spoofing incidents suggests a strategic use for army or strategic functions, affecting each industrial and army navigation.
“These actions could possibly be supposed to impede navigation, collect intelligence, or be a part of larger geopolitical targets similar to controlling marine routes or responding to perceived threats,” Dryad added.
“UKMTO has been referred to as to extend vigilance and report such interferences to make sure the protection of maritime communities and safety analysts,” it continued.
Dryad warned within the MSTA that GPS jamming is a creating risk, “spurring the event of defensive strategies for each army and industrial functions”.
“Key applied sciences embody CRPA, varied constellations, improved sign processing, and the mixing of GPS and Inertial Navigation Methods,” Dryad highlighted, including that “these strategies can be utilized for each attacking and defensive causes, highlighting GPS vulnerabilities”.
An advisory posted on UKMTO’s web site on September 8 famous that UKMTO had acquired a report of GPS interference.
“Masters who expertise disruption to digital navigation methods (GPS/AIS/Different PNT) anyplace inside the UKMTO Voluntary Reporting Space (VRA) are requested to contact UKMTO watchkeepers,” the advisory added.
In an advisory despatched to Rigzone on August 1 addressing occasions within the Center East on the time, Dryad warned that “disruptions to vessel communications on account of extreme GPS jamming off Israel ought to … be anticipated”.
Again in an MSTA launched in April, Dryad flagged an “digital warfare/interference” alert within the Purple Sea.
“On 04 April 2024, UKMTO issued an Digital Warfare/Interference alert, requesting Masters report any disruptions to digital navigation methods (GPS/AIS/different PNT) anyplace inside the Voluntary Reporting Space,” Dryad acknowledged in a piece of that MSTA specializing in the Purple Sea.
In that MSTA, Dryad famous that digital warfare may end up in “concentrating on a ship’s navigation methods by misdirecting GPS alerts or spoofing Computerized Identification Methods and Digital Chart Show and Data Methods, disrupting methods used for positioning and navigation, and infiltrating essential methods on ships”.
In a press release posted on its X web page early immediately, U.S. Central Command (Centcom) acknowledged that, prior to now 24 hours, its forces “efficiently destroyed 5 Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial automobiles and two missile methods in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen”.
“It was decided these methods introduced a transparent and imminent risk to U.S. and coalition forces, and service provider vessels within the area,” it added.
“These actions had been taken to guard freedom of navigation and make worldwide waters safer and safer for U.S., coalition, and service provider vessels,” it continued.
In a press release posted on its X web page early Tuesday, Centcom mentioned, prior to now 24 hours, its forces “efficiently destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi missile methods and one help car in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen”.
“Moreover, USCENTCOM forces efficiently destroyed one Houthi unmanned aerial car over the Purple Sea,” it added.
In a separate X put up on September 8, Centcom mentioned, prior to now 24 hours, its forces “efficiently destroyed three Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial automobiles and two missile methods in a Houthi-controlled space of Yemen”.
To contact the writer, e mail andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com
