RAF plane carrying Grant Shapps suffered jamming attack by Russia due to lack of key protections
An RAF plane carrying Grant Shapps was targeted in a jamming attack by Russia, leaving the aircraft without key protections due to limitations on government spending.
The electronic attack, described as “wildly irresponsible,” occurred while the Defence Secretary was onboard an RAF Dassault 900LX Falcon jet named Envoy on the way back from Poland. The GPS signal of the plane was interfered with for half an hour as it passed the Russian territory of Kaliningrad.
The lack of protective systems on the aircraft was attributed to budget constraints when the jet was put into action in 2022. The decision not to include components such as anti-missile jammers, jam-proof communications, or military-standard avionics was made due to tight defence budget measures.
Although plans were in place to upgrade the jets with military protections from April 1, 2024, a recent attack highlighted the vulnerability of the aircraft. The attack did not pose a safety threat to the aircraft but disrupted phone connections to the plane’s WiFi, forcing the pilots to rely on alternative navigation systems.
The delay in upgrading the aircraft has raised concerns, especially with the increased use of drones and electronic warfare tactics in conflicts. While former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace defended the decision to prioritize other military programs over the VIP jet’s protection, critics like Tim Ripley emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of critical aircraft used for high-profile missions.
The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by military and government officials in balancing budget constraints with the need for adequate security measures in an increasingly complex and unpredictable global landscape.