The impact of GPS Jamming on SAR

Electronic and hybrid warfare could have a major impact on search and rescue operations in Europe

The strategic landscape in Europe is evolving, characterised by a rise in hybrid electronic warfare. Recent events, particularly those attributed to Russian interference in the Baltic States and Finland, underscore the grave consequences of GPS jamming. While widely discussed in the context of military operations and civilian aviation, the profound risks this poses to critical search and rescue (SAR) operations demand urgent attention.

Search and rescue missions are inherently time-sensitive, often operating in challenging environments where precise navigation and communication are paramount. From locating lost hikers in vast wildernesses to coordinating responses after a natural disaster or major incident, SAR teams rely heavily on Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. GPS receivers provide accurate location data for navigating an incident site, pinpointing distressed individuals, and directing aerial or maritime assets. However, the proliferation of GPS jamming capabilities, as observed in recent incidents suggest electronic warfare activities affecting regions near its borders, presents a direct and crippling threat to these life-saving operations. When GPS signals are jammed, the most immediate consequence is the inability of SAR teams to obtain accurate positioning data. This means ground teams can lose their bearings in unfamiliar or damaged terrain, and airborne assets like helicopters or drones, crucial for aerial reconnaissance and victim spotting, may become disoriented or even inoperable for their intended purpose. Furthermore, GPS jamming can severely disrupt communication and coordination among emergency responders. Many modern communication systems, dispatch tools, and even some integrated medical devices rely on precise timing and location data, often derived from GPS. A breakdown in this fundamental capability can lead to a delayed response time as SAR teams may take significantly longer to reach distressed individuals or incident sites, directly impacting survival rates in critical situations. Also, inefficient resource allocation could be triggered by the lack of accurate real-time positioning, as incident commanders struggle to effectively deploy personnel and equipment, leading to wasted effort and missed opportunities to save lives. The lack of coordination poses an increased risk to responders, as disoriented teams operating without reliable navigation are at greater risk.

The implications for SAR are particularly acute in countries like Finland and the Baltic states, which share borders with Russia and have experienced documented incidents of GPS interference. Their emergency services operate within a geopolitical context where such disruptions are not theoretical but a demonstrated reality. This necessitates a shift in preparedness, moving beyond reliance on a single point of failure like GPS.

Prompted by an “urgent need” to tackle the attempts, which pose security and economic risks, Finnish researchers began developing a device to identify and mitigate intentional jamming of satellite positioning signals in April.

According to the Finnish transport and communications agency Traficom, around 2,000 reports of satellite positioning interference were registered in Finland last year, compared to just 239 reports in 2023. The country shares a 1,340-kilometre (830-mile) border with Russia and has been ramping up its defence and border security since

The lessons from these instances of electronic hybrid warfare highlight the urgent need for SAR organisations to re-emphasise traditional map and compass skills, implement inertial navigation systems where feasible, and explore alternative resilient positioning technologies. Another way for policymakers to mitigate the risks is to invest in robust, jam-resistant radio systems and satellite communication platforms less susceptible to interference and practice SAR operations in simulated GPS-denied environments to identify weaknesses and refine protocols under adverse conditions.

The invisible hand of GPS jamming poses a tangible threat to the essence of search and rescue: the ability to find and save lives quickly and efficiently. For nations in Europe's front-line regions, acknowledging and actively mitigating this risk is not just a matter of military strategy, but a fundamental imperative for public safety and humanitarian response.

Author

George Tataru

EPRR Special Interest Group

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CTM-E is a research organisation that investigates the medical challenges posed by mass casualty incidents in Europe and develops solutions to public policy issues to help make communities safer and more secure.

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