UN Agencies Warn of Rising Threats To Global Navigation Satellite Systems

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and International Maritime Organization (IMO) have issued a joint statement raising “grave concern” over the increasing threat of jamming and spoofing attacks targeting critical satellite navigation systems worldwide.

The agencies warned that such interference endangers aviation safety, maritime operations, and emergency response systems, urging governments to take immediate action to protect the Radio Navigation Satellite Service (RNSS) frequency bands.

ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized the urgency of ensuring the uninterrupted operation of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), which are essential for safe transportation, telecommunications, and humanitarian efforts.

“Global Navigation Satellite Systems are critical to our safety on land, at sea, and in the air. Member States should ensure their continuous operation for the safety of all and the resilience of essential services,” she stated.

The joint statement calls on governments to:

Protect RNSS from harmful interference that could degrade or disrupt signals used for civilian and humanitarian purposes.

Strengthen the resilience of navigation, positioning, and timing systems.

Maintain backup navigation infrastructure to mitigate the impact of RNSS outages.

Enhance collaboration between regulatory, aviation, maritime, defense, and enforcement bodies.

Report interference incidents to relevant authorities and the ITU Radiocommunications Bureau for monitoring.

Mario Maniewicz, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, stressed the importance of responsible spectrum use, calling radio frequencies a “precious, natural, and shared resource” vital for global communication and transportation.

Jamming unauthorized transmission of disruptive signals is often used for military, security, and law enforcement purposes. Spoofing, on the other hand, involves broadcasting deceptive GNSS-like signals, causing aircraft and ships to miscalculate their positions, leading to serious safety risks.

As these threats grow, the UN agencies stress that protecting satellite navigation systems is essential for global security, transport safety, and economic stability.