In September 2025, a Widerøe Airlines flight attempting to land in Vardø, Norway, experienced GPS interference, highlighting the growing vulnerability of satellite navigation systems to jamming. The incident occurred approximately 40 miles from the Russian coast, as the aircraft navigated low cloud cover and limited visibility.

The GPS malfunction coincided with Russia's Zapad-2025 military exercises, a simulated conflict scenario. European officials had observed frequent GPS interference in the lead-up to the exercise, suspecting the Russian military of employing GPS-signal-smashing technology. Russia has previously denied allegations of GPS interference.

GPS jamming, the deliberate disruption of GPS signals, poses a significant threat to various sectors, including aviation, maritime navigation, and emergency services. The technology is relatively inexpensive and readily available, making it an attractive tool for military and criminal actors.

The incident in Vardø underscores the need for robust countermeasures to protect GPS infrastructure. Potential solutions include developing more resilient GPS receivers, deploying alternative navigation systems, and improving signal monitoring and interference detection capabilities.

The vulnerability of GPS is a global concern, with reported incidents occurring in various regions, including the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the Korean Peninsula. The increasing reliance on GPS for critical infrastructure and daily activities necessitates international cooperation to address the threat of jamming and ensure the continued reliability of satellite navigation systems.