Vladimir Putin's top secret weapon threatens airlines by jamming GPS signals

05 February 2024 , 15:15

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Vladimir Putin's weapon could 'protect Russia from missiles', according to an expert (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Vladimir Putin has a top-secret weapon that can cause a major threat towards airlines and could be used to "protect Russia from missiles", a military chief has warned.

Estonian war boss Martin Harem says the damaging device has reportedly been distributed across NATO countries already. The electronic equipment is also said to have the ability to block GPS signals on planes and on ships.

The alert comes after Finland, Poland and the Baltic nations have all flagged there has been disturbance to air and sea traffic. Mr Harem, said despite the developments, it is unclear whether the device is currently being used as practice or to "achieve something".

Mr Harem shared his concerns and said: "What we have seen is a malfunctioning of GPS for ships and air traffic. And we really do not know if they [ Russia ] want to achieve something or just practise and test their equipment. But definitely, nobody should behave like this, especially when you’re at war with a neighbouring country."

According to Western intelligence, the dish has been named "Tobol". The system is understood to look like a large dish with an antenna and works by transmitting signals on the same frequency as satellites used to guide vehicles which stops navigation devices from receiving legitimate signals, reports the Washington Post.

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Experts say it is 'affecting the safety of navigation' (Google Earth)

The dish is reportedly called Tabol (Google Earth)

Experts have identified at least seven Tobol complexes in Russia, but it is thought this one is based in Kaliningrad, a Russian annexe between Lithuania and Poland which was taken from Germany back in 1945, The Telegraph reports. It was then used as a strategic point for the now-fallen Soviet Union during the Cold War. Vladimir Putin recently made a visit to the region and experts reckon, that should the despot want to wage war on NATO, he would start his onslaught from here.

Electronic warfare expert Dr Thomas Withington told The Telegraph the dish can be directed to disrupt GPS signals in several directions and could be used to protect Russia from missiles. "This may surprise some people but I think, ostensibly, it’s defensive," he said, adding it was "deeply irresponsible" of the country to act this way. It’s affecting the safety of navigation, degrading the safety of navigation," he said, adding that, fortunately, many of the affected vehicles have other methods to steer themselves in the right direction.

Monica Charsley