London, United Kingdom: An RAF jet GPS jammed near the Russian border while carrying UK Defence Secretary John Healey back from Estonia, according to British media reports.
The Guardian reported that the disruption lasted through the three-hour flight. Pilots used another navigation system after the aircraft lost GPS during the journey.
Healey had visited British troops in Estonia during a NATO exercise near Russia. The Times first reported the incident, and the source brief said Russia was suspected.
The incident followed a separate RAF encounter over the Black Sea. The Ministry of Defence said Russian Su-35 and Su-27 jets had made dangerous passes near a Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft.
Read: Russian Jets, RAF Plane Intercept Raises UK Alarm
The Guardian reported that one Russian jet came within six metres of the RAF aircraft in April. Healey called the flybys “unacceptable” and praised the RAF crew’s professionalism.
In 2024, an RAF aircraft carrying then-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps also suffered GPS jamming near Russian territory. AP reported that the aircraft used alternative navigation during that flight.
