GNSS resilience is an economic and security priority

Modern society has become profoundly reliant on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). These systems support aviation safety, emergency services, finance, communications, energy networks and an expanding array of autonomous and industrial systems. Yet despite this reliance, GNSS remains inherently fragile: low‑power signals transmitted from medium Earth orbit are surprisingly easy to degrade, and the consequences of disruption can be severe.

Disruption arises from multiple sources including natural phenomena such as solar flares, technical anomalies within satellite constellations and malicious interference — the latter of which is on the rise. According to the International Air Transport Association, deliberate GNSS interference now affects more than 5% of commercial flights within Europe, with a 220% increase in signal-loss events reported between 2021 and 2024. Recent incidents, such as the interference that affected European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's aircraft, highlight the very real risks posed by malicious activity.

Much of the public discussion on GNSS focusses on its role in positioning and navigation, yet its timing function is equally vital. Sub‑microsecond timing accuracy is essential for modern society, enabling synchronised power grids, resilient broadcast and cellular networks, accurate timestamped high-frequency financial trading and reliable industrial automation. Systems that rely exclusively on GNSS for timing are increasingly vulnerable to disruption, whether through accidental outages or deliberate interference.