Spain confirmed that a military aircraft carrying Defence Minister Margarita Robles was targeted by GPS interference near Kaliningrad while en route to Lithuania. The jet continued its mission without disruption, but the episode reflects growing electronic warfare risks across NATO’s eastern flank.

Flight Incident And Response

Spanish officials reported that the jamming occurred during Robles’s trip to Šiauliai airbase, where Spain leads a NATO air policing mission. They stressed that while such interference is “common” in this corridor, the aircraft’s encrypted systems ensured safe navigation. Robles denounced the attempt, vowing it would not weaken NATO’s resolve.

Pattern Of Disruptions In Europe

This incident follows a series of GPS disturbances affecting both civilian and official aircraft in the region. Earlier this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s flight suffered similar interference over Bulgaria. Aviation authorities in the Baltic and Nordic countries have warned of repeated disruptions, widely suspected to stem from Russian electronic warfare systems—an accusation Moscow denies.

Strategic Implications For NATO

Spain’s deployment in Lithuania is part of NATO’s effort to deter Russian incursions and safeguard Baltic skies. Analysts caution that persistent GPS jamming not only threatens military operations but also poses risks to civilian aviation, underscoring how electronic interference has become a central feature of hybrid warfare in Europe.