Core Points - The article highlights the escalating electronic warfare threats posed by Russia in European airspace, particularly following a recent incident involving the private plane of Ursula von der Leyen, which experienced a GPS signal disruption for 30 minutes while flying over Poland [1] - Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, GPS interference incidents in Eastern Europe have surged from dozens per month to over 300 daily, affecting more than 80,000 flights [1][4] Group 1: Electronic Warfare Developments - The Russian military's 841st Independent Electronic Warfare Center has developed systems capable of jamming GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo navigation systems simultaneously [4] - In July 2023, the EU imposed sanctions on nine Russian individuals, including the center's commander, in response to these electronic warfare activities [4] - EURCONTROL's latest report indicates a significant increase in interference intensity, with a 47% rise in disruptions in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 [4] Group 2: Impact on Aviation and Navigation - Lithuania has reported an alarming increase in GPS interference, with an average of 2.3 disruptions per flight in June 2024, a 22-fold increase from 2022 [4] - The interference has led to 12 incidents of civil aircraft deviating from their flight paths due to deceptive jamming techniques, which can mislead navigation systems by up to 30 nautical miles [4] - The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority reported over 1,400 GPS anomalies in Finnmark County in 2024, affecting emergency medical flights and local reindeer herding operations [7] Group 3: Response and Mitigation Efforts - In response to the electronic warfare threats, the EU has expedited plans to upgrade the Galileo satellite system, aiming to launch 12 new anti-jamming satellites by 2026 [9] - A ground-based network of 200 monitoring stations will be established to create an interference warning system [9] - The European Space Agency emphasizes the need for a "digital shield" as satellite signals become potential weapons in this electronic warfare landscape [9]