An RAF aircraft carrying UK Defence Secretary John Healey experienced GPS jamming while flying near Russian territory following an official visit to Estonia, according to British defence sources.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, May 21, as Healey was returning to the UK aboard a Dassault Falcon 900LX after meeting British troops deployed in Estonia. According to reports first published by The Times, the aircraft’s navigation systems were disrupted for several hours after its GPS signal was disabled during the flight.
Passengers on board, including journalists and photographers, were reportedly unable to connect smartphones and laptops to the internet as the interference affected communications systems. Pilots were forced to rely on alternative navigation methods to complete the journey safely. A defence source described the disruption as “reckless Russian interference” but stressed that RAF crews are trained to manage such situations.
It remains unclear whether Healey’s aircraft was specifically targeted. However, the plane’s route was publicly visible through flight-tracking websites during the journey. GPS jamming and spoofing incidents have become increasingly common near Russian territory, particularly around the Baltic region and the Black Sea, where military tensions have intensified since the start of the war in Ukraine.
In September 2025, a plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was also reportedly affected by suspected GPS interference while travelling near Eastern Europe. Bulgarian authorities later suggested Russia may have been responsible.
A similar incident occurred in March 2024 when an RAF aircraft transporting former UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps experienced GPS disruption while flying close to Russian territory.
Experts say electronic warfare capabilities, including GPS interference, have become a routine feature of modern military operations. Dr Thomas Withington of the Royal United Services Institute recently said countries including Russia and Iran have heavily invested in jamming technologies capable of disrupting navigation and communication systems.
The latest incident comes amid rising military tensions between the UK and Russia. Earlier this month, the UK Ministry of Defence said Russian fighter jets had “repeatedly and dangerously” intercepted an RAF surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea.
According to British officials, a Russian Sukhoi Su-35 flew so close to the RAF aircraft that it triggered emergency systems, including temporarily disabling the autopilot. Another Russian Sukhoi Su-27 reportedly passed within six metres of the British plane during the encounter.
The UK Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence later lodged a formal complaint with the Russian Embassy, condemning the actions as “dangerous and unacceptable behaviour.”
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