In a concerning cyber incident an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft flying over Myanmar during Operation Brahma India’s humanitarian relief mission was targeted by a GPS spoofing attack. The spoofing attack manipulated the aircraft real-time coordinates misleading its navigation systems mid-air.
However, IAF pilots acted swiftly switching to the Internal Navigation System (INS) to ensure a safe and secure flight path. No casualties or aircraft damage were reported.
What is GPS Spoofing?
GPS spoofing is a cyberattack where false signals mimic genuine satellite data, tricking navigation systems into displaying incorrect positions. It poses a serious threat to both civilian and military aviation. India has already seen 465 such spoofing incidents reported near Amritsar and Jammu since November 2023, especially close to the India-Pakistan border.
The incident occurred amid India’s relief operations in Myanmar following the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28, which killed 3,649 people and injured over 5,000. The powerful quake triggered over a hundred aftershocks, with tremors felt as far as Thailand and northeastern India.
India launched Operation Brahma to aid the crisis-hit region, dispatching search and rescue (SAR) teams, medical help, and humanitarian aid. On March 29, the IAF’s C-130J aircraft carried 15 tonnes of relief material including tents, blankets, medicines, and food provided by NDRF and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
So far India has deployed six aircraft and five naval ships, delivering 625 metric tonnes of HADR (Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief) supplies.
Despite the ongoing relief efforts, rescue operations have been hampered by severe weather and restricted internet access, caused by the ruling military junta’s communication controls in Myanmar. These restrictions are slowing down coordination between international agencies and ground responders.
Adding to concerns another earthquake of 5.6 magnitude struck Myanmar on Sunday reported by the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre. Fortunately, no fresh casualties or injuries have been reported.