An RAF jet carrying Defence Secretary John Healey had its GPS signals jammed for the entire three-hour flight near the Russian border this week, according to a report. The incident occurred on Thursday as Mr Healey was returning to the UK from Estonia, where he had been visiting British troops.
The electronic attack, believed to be carried out by Russia, disabled internet connectivity on smartphones and laptops and forced pilots to rely on alternative navigation systems. The Dassault Falcon 900LX aircraft was carrying passengers including photographers and a reporter, who were informed that the plane could still operate safely.
It remains unclear whether Mr Healey was specifically targeted, though the flight path was visible on aircraft tracking websites, as reported by The Times. This incident follows a recent Ministry of Defence disclosure that two Russian jets had dangerously intercepted an RAF spy plane over the Black Sea.
In that encounter, a Russian Su-35 jet flew so close to the British Rivet Joint aircraft that it triggered emergency systems and disabled the autopilot. An Su-27 also passed within six metres of the unarmed plane's nose, conducting six passes in front. The MoD described it as the most dangerous Russian action against a British Rivet Joint since a missile incident in 2022.
This is not the first such jamming incident involving a defence secretary's flight. In March 2024, an RAF plane carrying then-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps had its GPS signal jammed for about 30 minutes while returning from Poland.
The Independent has contacted the MoD for comment on the latest incident.
