An RAF jet carrying UK Defence Secretary John Healey had its GPS signal jammed for the entire three-hour flight after it flew near the Russian border, according to a report by The Sun on May 25, 2026. Healey was returning to the UK from a visit to British soldiers in Estonia when the electronic interference occurred.
The incident, which took place on May 24, 2026, involved an RAF Dassault 900LX Falcon jet. The GPS jamming lasted from the time the aircraft entered airspace near the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad until it landed in the UK. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the jamming but stated that the aircraft's safety was not compromised.
This is not the first such incident; similar GPS jamming has been reported in the Baltic region, often attributed to Russian electronic warfare systems. The UK has previously accused Russia of reckless behavior in jamming GPS signals, which can affect civilian aviation and maritime navigation.
Healey's visit to Estonia was part of a routine deployment of British troops to NATO's eastern flank. The jamming did not disrupt the flight's navigation, as the aircraft used alternative systems. The MoD said it takes such incidents seriously and is working with allies to counter electronic threats.
