Since the end of 2024, Russia has stepped up its electronic warfare (EW) operations in the regions bordering Norway, particularly in the Arctic. These actions include jamming and decoy techniques affecting air and sea navigation systems. This escalation is aimed at protecting Russian military bases from Ukrainian long-range drone attacks. However, this electronic interference is having a significant impact on civilian and military operations in the region.
Jamming and decoy techniques used
Russia uses two main EW techniques: jamming and decoying.
- Jamming: This method involves emitting powerful radio signals to disrupt or block enemy communications and navigation systems. GPS signals, essential for air and sea navigation, are particularly vulnerable to this type of interference.
- Luring: More insidious, this technique involves the transmission of falsified signals imitating legitimate sources, such as GPS satellites. Navigation receivers can then interpret these false signals, leading aircraft or ships to incorrect positions without operators immediately noticing.
These methods have been stepped up to protect Russian military installations from Ukrainian drones. However, their widespread use is also affecting civilian systems, posing risks to air and maritime safety.
Impact on civil air navigation
Russian EW operations have a direct impact on civil air navigation, particularly in areas close to the Norwegian border.
- Incidents reported: Since 2023, commercial airlines have reported thousands of incidents involving disruptions to their navigation systems. These incidents are four times more numerous than in 2022, and twenty times more than in 2018. The majority of these disruptions are attributed to jamming operations aimed at countering drones on the battlefield.
- Areas affected: The areas most affected include the Baltic Sea, near Poland and Latvia, and the Arctic, near Finland and Norway. In these areas, aircraft may receive false position information, leading them to believe they are overflying an airport when in fact they are a long way from it.
- Safety risks: Decoy signals can go unnoticed by pilots, especially when flying under instrument flight rules. This increases the risk of disorientation and potential accidents. Military aircraft generally have protection against such interference, but civil aircraft are more vulnerable.
Countermeasures and technological adaptations
In the face of these threats, several technological solutions have been developed to improve the resilience of navigation systems.
- Inertial Navigation Systems (INS): These systems use internal sensors to track aircraft movements independently of external signals. Although accurate for short periods, they can drift over time without recalibration.
- Image recognition: This technology compares images captured in real time with pre-existing maps to determine the aircraft’s position. It is particularly useful when GPS signals are unavailable or compromised.
- Signal authentication: Among satellite navigation systems, Europe’s Galileo incorporates an authentication mechanism to verify the origin of signals received, thus reducing the risk of deception.
- Commercial solutions: Companies such as Israeli firm InfiniDome offer anti-jamming equipment to protect GPS signals. Their GPSdome-1 device is available for around 100 euros and is used to secure road transport and drone operations.
Geopolitical implications and international responses
The intensification of Russian EW operations has repercussions beyond the immediate borders, affecting regional and international security.
- Threats of sabotage: Norwegian internal security services consider it likely that Russian intelligence services will attempt to carry out sabotage actions in Norway in 2025, in particular to hinder aid to Ukraine.
- Scandinavian cooperation: In response, Norway, Finland and Sweden are developing a joint electronic warfare strategy to counter Russian actions. The aim is to strengthen electronic defense capabilities and protect critical infrastructures in the region.
- Infrastructure modernization: Norway plans to reinstate the requirement for air-raid shelters in new buildings, citing increased risks of war and sabotage.
Lessons learned and future prospects
Technological adaptation and military doctrine
The rapid evolution of electronic warfare (EW) technologies means that military doctrines need to be continually updated. Recent conflicts, notably in Ukraine, demonstrate the importance of developing navigation and communication systems that are resilient to electronic interference. Ukrainian drones, for example, have bypassed Russian jamming by using inertial navigation systems combined with image recognition. This approach reduces reliance on satellite signals, which remain vulnerable to decoying and jamming.
- Hybrid navigation : The integration of inertial systems coupled with artificial intelligence makes it possible to improve the accuracy of movements without relying on an external signal.
- GPS signal authentication protocol: Only Galileo, the European satellite navigation system, offers signal authentication, making it a more reliable option than American GPS or Russian GLONASS.
- Anti-jamming equipment: Companies like InfiniDome are developing affordable commercial solutions to counter these threats, adapted to drones, aircraft and critical infrastructure.
International response to electronic threats
Western nations are gradually becoming aware of the threats posed by Russian electronic warfare, and are adapting their strategic posture.
- European defense: Military exercises incorporating intensive electronic warfare scenarios are regularly organized in Norway, Finland and Sweden. These exercises enable us to assess the effectiveness of electronic countermeasures and adapt operational protocols.
- NATO collaboration: NATO has stepped up its intelligence sharing on Russian electronic warfare capabilities, notably by integrating monitoring stations capable of detecting and analyzing jamming signals.
- Critical infrastructure protection: In Norway, the threat of Russian sabotage has led to the reintroduction of anti-aircraft shelters in new buildings, a measure designed to protect the population in the event of an attack.
Impact on air and maritime safety
Intensified jamming and decoying are already having a major impact on air and sea operations in many parts of the world. Incidents reported show a significant increase in disruption for commercial aircraft and ships sailing close to Russian areas of operation.
- Increasing incidents in the Arctic and Baltic: The number of incidents of temporary GPS signal loss for civil aircraft has increased 20-fold since 2018.
- False position information: Civilian pilots have reported situations where onboard instruments indicated an incorrect position, leading them to believe they were over an airport when they were several tens of kilometers away.
- Maritime traffic disruptions: commercial vessels in the Black Sea and Baltic reported alterations to their positioning systems, complicating navigation in sensitive areas.
Towards a new era of electronic warfare
Recent events show that electronic warfare is now a major strategic tool in modern conflicts. Major powers are investing in advanced electronic countermeasures, seeking to maintain a technological edge in the face of emerging threats.
- Development of mobile jammers: Mobile directional jamming units are being developed to protect land and air forces.
- Improved anti-ducking systems: The integration of multi-source sensors enables information from different systems to be compared to detect decoy attempts.
- Strengthening military satellites: The USA and the European Union are working on new secure communications satellites, resistant to electronic attacks and espionage attempts.
Russia’s intensification of electronic warfare operations in the Arctic and Baltic Sea illustrates the rapid evolution of modern conflicts towards advanced technological confrontations. The jamming and decoying strategies used impact both military operations and civilian shipping. Faced with this growing threat, European states and NATO are adapting their protocols and developing technological countermeasures to guarantee the security of military infrastructures and operations.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.