Introduction
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is the overarching term for satellite-based navigation systems, including GPS (United States), Galileo (European Union), GLONASS (Russia), and BeiDou (China). GNSS provides essential positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) data that supports everything from aviation and maritime transport to emergency services and financial systems. In North America, GNSS is commonly referred to as GPS, but it encompasses multiple satellite constellations that work together to provide accurate location and timing services.
The significance of GNSS cannot be overstated, as it underpins critical infrastructure worldwide. Disruptions to GNSS signals—whether through jamming, spoofing, or technical failures—can have far-reaching consequences, affecting everything from aircraft navigation and shipping routes to financial transactions and emergency response times. In Canada, where vast remote regions rely heavily on satellite-based navigation, GNSS reliability is crucial for national security, economic stability, and public safety. Any interference with GNSS can lead to delays, misrouting, and increased risks in essential operations. Studies have shown that a major GNSS disruption could cost economies billions; for instance, a UK study estimated a 7-day GNSS outage would result in approximately $12.5 billion CAD in economic losses. The United States has also projected losses of up to $1 billion USD per day during prolonged disruptions, emphasizing the severe financial and operational consequences of GNSS failures.
(Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS, commonly referred to as GPS in North America)
Canada’s reliance on Global Positioning System (GPS) and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services is growing rapidly across multiple sectors, including defense, transportation, finance, and critical infrastructure. However, increasing incidents of GPS jamming and spoofing—both accidental and deliberate—pose significant risks to national security and economic stability. While the United States has ramped up efforts to protect its GPS infrastructure, Canada lacks a coordinated national strategy to detect, mitigate, and respond to these threats. This gap must be addressed to safeguard Canada’s sovereignty and operational effectiveness in an evolving threat landscape.
The Growing Threat Landscape
GPS jamming and spoofing are no longer just theoretical concerns; they are real and increasing threats. Over the past few years, multiple reports have surfaced detailing interference incidents affecting commercial aviation, maritime navigation, and defense operations.
For example, reports from Arctic operations indicate that GNSS disruptions have caused navigation anomalies for vessels and aircraft. In 2024, pilots reported unexpected shifts in their GPS locations over the Arctic, raising concerns about potential adversarial electronic warfare activities. Additionally, data from the maritime sector suggests that fishing and cargo vessels operating near Canada’s coastlines have experienced intermittent GPS signal loss, creating safety hazards and operational inefficiencies.
Given Canada’s vast and sparsely populated geography, GNSS interference events are particularly difficult to detect and attribute. The country’s heavy reliance on GPS and other GNSS constellations for navigation, logistics, and emergency response makes it vulnerable to malicious actors looking to disrupt operations or conduct cyber-enabled hybrid warfare.
Lessons from the U.S. Approach
The United States has recognized the importance of GPS resilience and has taken significant steps toward detection and mitigation. Recently, U.S. officials emphasized the need for a robust national PNT protection strategy, urging investment in alternative PNT technologies, detection networks, and rapid response mechanisms. Additionally, the U.S. has been working on deploying a national GPS jamming detection system, ensuring that incidents are quickly identified and mitigated.
Canada, by contrast, has yet to implement a similar framework. While organizations like the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the Department of National Defence (DND) recognize the importance of PNT security, there needs to be a comprehensive, national approach to GPS interference detection and response.
The Case for a National GPS Jamming Detection System in Canada
To effectively counter GPS jamming and spoofing threats, Canada must take proactive steps toward implementing a nationwide detection system. This initiative should include:
- A Distributed Sensor Network – Deploying GNSS monitoring stations across key infrastructure points, including major transportation hubs, maritime routes, and Arctic regions, to detect and localize jamming incidents in real-time.
- Public-Private Collaboration – Engaging industry leaders in aerospace, telecommunications, and cybersecurity to build a resilient PNT ecosystem.
- Defense and Security Integration – Incorporating GPS jamming detection into national defense operations to enhance situational awareness for the Canadian Armed Forces, particularly in Arctic and maritime domains.
- Alternative PNT Solutions – Investing in complementary technologies such as Low Earth Orbit (LEO) navigation satellites, inertial navigation systems, and terrestrial-based timing networks to reduce reliance on GPS.
- Legislation and Policy Frameworks – Establishing clear policies for detecting, reporting, and mitigating GPS interference events, including response protocols for cyber-enabled attacks on GNSS infrastructure.
- Raising Public and Policy Awareness – A national strategy must also address the general lack of awareness among decision-makers and the public regarding GPS interference. Educating stakeholders on the risks and advocating for policy reforms are critical first steps in securing national PNT infrastructure.
Canada’s Path Forward
Ignoring the growing threat of GPS interference could have severe consequences for Canada’s national security, economic resilience, and technological sovereignty. The country must take decisive action to develop a national GPS jamming detection and mitigation strategy before adversarial actors exploit these vulnerabilities. Canada has the expertise, industry capability, and strategic imperative to lead in this space, but it must act now to protect its PNT infrastructure from growing threats.
Ensuring the resilience of Canada’s GPS and GNSS infrastructure is not just a matter of national security but a fundamental requirement for economic stability and technological sovereignty. By proactively investing in detection, mitigation, and alternative PNT solutions, Canada can safeguard its critical systems against evolving threats and maintain its leadership in a rapidly changing global landscape.. The longer Canada waits, the more vulnerable its infrastructure becomes to external manipulation and disruption.