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GPS Jammed: Norway Flight Aborts Landing Amid Russian Wargames
30 Dec, 2025
Summary
- A Widerøe flight aborted landing in Norway due to GPS jamming.
- Russian military exercises, Zapad-2025, are suspected of causing interference.
- Global GPS vulnerability impacts militaries, drivers, and gamers alike.
In September 2025, a Widerøe flight experienced a near-miss landing in Vardø, Norway, due to severe GPS interference. This disruption, occurring during Russia's Zapad-2025 wargames, highlighted the growing vulnerability of global positioning systems. Such GPS jamming incidents have become near-constant in Norway's Finnmark region, escalating since the invasion of Ukraine.
The implications of GPS disruption extend far beyond aviation, affecting essential services like electricity grids, cell networks, and banking. Even recreational activities like augmented reality gaming are impacted. In response, U.S. institutions are investing heavily in modernizing GPS with better encryption and new signals, alongside exploring complementary technologies.
Efforts to combat GPS jamming and spoofing are underway globally, with companies developing alternative systems. These include satellites in low-Earth orbit and ground-based transmitters. Despite these advancements, experts caution that continued vigilance and innovation are crucial to protect against future disruptions.
