March 2026: Due to conflict in the Middle East, approximately 1,000 ships in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman have experienced disruptions in navigation. “Many ships only listen to the original civilian GPS signal, which is called the L1 C/A signal,” the RNL’s Dr. Todd Humphreys said. “You will not find any aircraft flying in the world today whose built-in GPS receiver is capable of tracking and interpreting signals other than GPS L1 C/A… [It’s] out of date by 15 years.” With the tools and techniques freely available, jamming and spoofing such a signal is simple. The consequences of electronic warfare to ships extend beyond navigation: GPS synchronizes onboard clocks and disciplines radar equipment. These systems contribute to the safety of ships and unassuming civilians on nearby shores.
It’s likely that GNSS interference is being inflicted from both sides of the conflict. At the cost of disrupting their own lives, Gulf states may be directing systems towards their own shores to redirect Iran-constructed Shahed drones. “Even if their own air traffic or maritime traffic or their delivery drivers… are affected by GPS jamming and spoofing, they’ll do it, just like Israel did,” Humphreys added.
To learn more about the satellite systems involved in the Middle Eastern theater, read more here.
