EU Accelerates Satellite Defense Against GPS Jamming Threats

Commission President's Aircraft Hit by Russian Interference Sparks Urgent LEO Deployment

September 1, 2025 — The European Union is fast-tracking deployment of additional low Earth orbit satellites and upgrading ground systems to counter escalating GPS jamming threats, following a high-profile incident involving European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's aircraft over the weekend.

EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius announced Monday that the bloc will deploy supplementary LEO satellites to enhance resilience against electronic warfare interference, with particular focus on strengthening detection capabilities and satellite communication networks. The announcement came after GPS systems aboard von der Leyen's flight to Bulgaria were jammed on Sunday, an incident Bulgarian authorities suspect involved Russian interference.

Incident Reveals Strategic Vulnerability

The jamming of the Commission President's aircraft underscores a pattern of satellite navigation disruption that has intensified since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. GPS interference has become so pervasive that it now affects satellites up to 1,200 miles above Earth's surface, according to experts from the Aerospace Corporation who presented findings at the ASCEND space conference.

John Janeski of Aerospace Corp noted that cubesats operating in LEO show "a giant hole above the Ukraine region" where GPS reception is blocked, demonstrating how ground-based jamming systems can create interference zones extending well into orbital altitudes. The phenomenon particularly affects LEO satellites, which require precise positioning and timing data to coordinate with constellation partners.

Multi-Pronged Defense Strategy

The EU's response centers on integrating new LEO satellites with existing systems including Galileo, Europe's global navigation satellite system currently comprising 27 operational satellites. This hybrid architecture aims to provide redundant signals that are harder to jam, leveraging LEO constellations' inherently stronger signal strength compared to traditional medium Earth orbit systems.

Spanish company GMV is upgrading Galileo's Reference Centre in the Netherlands under a €27.5 million contract, enabling real-time monitoring of signal quality and faster detection of jamming incidents. The upgrade, dubbed "V2," will also implement signal authentication services and enhanced cybersecurity measures by 2026.

Recent Galileo constellation additions have strengthened the system's robustness. Two new satellites launched in September 2024 brought the constellation to its designed configuration with operational satellites plus spares in each orbital plane. Six additional first-generation satellites are scheduled for deployment through 2026, while second-generation satellites with fully digital payloads and enhanced anti-jamming capabilities are in development.

IRIS² Constellation Takes Shape

Central to Europe's long-term satellite security is the €10.6 billion IRIS² program, which signed its concession contract in December 2024. The SpaceRISE consortium—comprising SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat—will deploy 290 satellites across multiple orbits by 2030, including 264 in LEO and 18 in medium Earth orbit.

IRIS² represents Europe's most ambitious space security initiative, designed to provide encrypted communications for governmental users while offering commercial services. The multi-orbital approach is expected to deliver performance equivalent to 1,000 single-orbit satellites, according to EU officials.

The constellation will complement existing programs including GOVSATCOM, which pools satellite capacity from five EU member states starting in 2025. This incremental approach allows Europe to enhance secure communications capabilities while the full IRIS² system comes online.

Industry Response and Global Competition

The GPS jamming crisis has accelerated anti-jamming technology development across allied nations. The U.S. Space Force expects to achieve major anti-jamming milestones in 2025, including certification of the Military GPS User Equipment (MGUE) Increment 1 receivers and deployment of GPS III satellites with enhanced jam resistance.

Commercial firms are also developing alternative positioning systems. Xona Space Systems received a $4.6 million Air Force Research Laboratory contract to demonstrate its Pulsar LEO constellation, with first launch planned for June 2025 and operational services by 2027 through a 258-satellite network.

For European aerospace companies, the threat environment has created new opportunities. The IRIS² program emphasizes SME participation and innovation, while ground segment upgrades require specialized anti-jamming technologies and signal processing capabilities.

Technical Challenges and Timeline

Implementation faces significant technical hurdles. LEO satellites require precise positioning data to maintain formation flying and coordinate inter-satellite links, making them vulnerable to the very interference they're designed to counter. Engineers are developing hybrid solutions combining GPS, Galileo, and other GNSS signals with inertial navigation systems for redundancy.

The timeline for enhanced protection remains aggressive. While some upgrades to existing systems will be operational by 2026, full IRIS² services won't begin until 2030. In the interim, Europe must rely on incremental improvements to Galileo and coordination with allied systems.

Budgetary constraints also pose challenges, with the EU allocating substantial resources to space defense amid competing priorities. The IRIS² program represents 60% public funding, requiring sustained political commitment across multiple budget cycles.

Geopolitical Implications

The GPS jamming crisis highlights Europe's strategic vulnerability and dependence on satellite navigation for critical infrastructure. Beyond aviation safety, GPS timing signals underpin financial systems, power grids, and telecommunications networks—making satellite security a national security imperative.

The EU's response signals determination to achieve strategic autonomy in space, potentially straining relations with Russia while positioning Europe as a leader in satellite constellation security. The success of IRIS² and Galileo upgrades may establish templates for allied nations facing similar electronic warfare threats.

As jamming becomes a frontline tactic in hybrid warfare, Europe's investment in space-based defense capabilities represents both a near-term necessity and long-term strategic advantage in an increasingly contested electromagnetic environment.

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Sources

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16. EU Deploys LEO Satellites to Counter GPS Jamming and Russia Threats