EU Deputy Minister Glebovas urges robust action against GPS interference, stressing the necessity of a united European response to counter hybrid threats.
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In the face of escalating hybrid threats in Lithuania and the Baltic Sea region - including GPS interference, infrastructure disruptions, and underwater cable damages - Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Julijus Glebovas underscores the urgent need for a unified and robust response from the European Union (EU).
These hybrid actions, such as GPS jamming and spoofing, along with the sabotage of underwater electricity and telecommunications cables, aim to test the EU's resilience and weaken strategically vital communication sectors. Although flights remain safe, the potential fallout from such attacks is a significant cause for concern.
Addressing a roundtable discussion at the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the EU in Brussels, Deputy Minister Glebovas emphasized the importance of strengthening regional cooperation, increasing European funding, and exploring alternative financial resources for projects that improve dual-purpose mobility links with Europe, encompassing both civilian and military uses. Additionally, he emphasized the necessity of ensuring the security of the EU's critical transport infrastructure and cybersecurity.
"A disruption of GPS signals in the Baltic region poses a direct risk to our people and security. One can only contemplate the repercussions if hostile spoofing led an emergency service vehicle or rescue helicopter astray," said Deputy Minister Glebovas.
Lithuania, as well as the Baltic States and Poland, has been experiencing targeted GPS interference, a problem that escalated following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The number of GPS interference incidents reported by Oro Navigacija has skyrocketed, with data from January 2024 showing a tenfold increase compared to January 2025, resulting in a staggering 400 reports in January of this year.
The EU has been stepping up its response to hybrid threats in the Baltic region through various coordinated initiatives under its ProtectEU Strategy and related frameworks. For instance, the NIS2 Directive (2022) expands cybersecurity obligations across critical sectors, including maritime transport and energy infrastructure. Member states like Lithuania are required to implement advanced risk management and incident reporting protocols directly addressing vulnerabilities in underwater cable networks and other crucial areas.
The EU has developed strategic tools such as the Hybrid Toolbox, the EU Ports Strategy, and the Cybersecurity Act and Joint Cyber Unit to combat hybrid campaigns, including GPS jamming and cyber-physical attacks on undersea cables. Furthermore, the EU has deployed hybrid threat experts to neighboring states and plans to provide tailored support to frontline states facing Russian hybrid tactics, including maritime infrastructure targeting.
However, GPS-specific countermeasures and underwater cable protections are not explicitly outlined in these initiatives. Instead, these protections likely fall under cross-sectoral initiatives like the Action Plan against CBRN threats and the Preparedness Union Strategy, which prioritize infrastructure resilience. The EU is also working on reducing dependencies on high-risk suppliers and revising procurement rules to protect critical infrastructure like undersea cables. Technological sovereignty initiatives aim to bolster secure cloud and telecom services.
- In light of the increasing number of GPS interference incidents in Lithuania, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there is an urgent need for advanced GPS-specific countermeasures to ensure the safety of civilian and military transport.
- The escalating hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea region, such as interference with underwater electricity and telecommunications cables, highlight the importance of enhancing cybersecurity, specifically in the maritime transport sector, as outlined in the NIS2 Directive (2022).
- A strong and unified response from the European Union (EU) is essential to combat the escalating hybrid threats, including GPS jamming and cyber-physical attacks on undersea cables, as emphasized by Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Julijus Glebovas.
- The potential fallout from hybrid actions, like the sabotage of underwater electricity and telecommunications cables, not only tests the EU's resilience but also poses a significant risk to general news, crime and justice, and politics in the Baltic region.
- The EU's strategic tools, such as the Hybrid Toolbox, the EU Ports Strategy, and the Cybersecurity Act and Joint Cyber Unit, while effective in combating hybrid campaigns, may not cover GPS-specific countermeasures and underwater cable protections, which are likely addressed in cross-sectoral initiatives like the Action Plan against CBRN threats and the Preparedness Union Strategy.
