'Severe' GPS spoofing reported over Delhi; DGCA probing matter
What's the story
Over the past week, aircraft flying over Delhi have been facing "severe" GPS spoofing, leading to incorrect navigation data and misleading terrain warnings, The Hindu reported. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is currently investigating the matter. A pilot from a major airline said he experienced GPS spoofing every day last week. On one occasion, while approaching Delhi airport, his cockpit systems issued a false terrain warning indicating obstacles ahead where none existed.
Incident details
Spoofing incidents reported within 60-nautical-mile radius
Another pilot said they experienced false warnings all the way to parking bays until the system was recycled. An air traffic controller confirmed that spoofing incidents have been reported within a 60-nautical-mile radius of Delhi in recent days. While GPS spoofing is common near India's border with Pakistan, such incidents over Delhi are rare, and no advisory has been issued for military exercises in the area.
Safety measures
DGCA issues advisory on GPS spoofing
The DGCA has issued an advisory asking airlines to prepare standard operating procedures and submit bi-monthly reports on GPS spoofing incidents. The Indian government has also taken up the issue with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Despite these incidents, aircraft safety isn't compromised as systems have redundancies such as Inertial Reference System for navigation. Pilots can detect spoofing through inconsistent or conflicting data displayed across instruments.
Runway upgrade
Spoofing worse due to runway upgrade
The Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi has been facing widespread GPS spoofing, especially with east winds, when pilots are forced to approach from the Dwarka side. The problem is worse as the main runway's Instrument Landing System (ILS) is under upgrade to Category III for better fog-landing capabilities. This forces pilots to rely on satellite-dependent technology called 'Required Navigation Performance' (RNP), making them vulnerable to spoofing about 60 nautical miles from the airport.
Flight disruptions
Flight diversions and congestion at IGIA
The spoofing issue has led to flight diversions and congestion at IGIA. On Tuesday night, several flights were diverted to Jaipur due to safety concerns. Aviation authorities are aware of the situation but have not disclosed specific security sensitivities involved in this case. Airlines are training pilots on alternative navigation systems as a mitigation strategy against these incidents.