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The ongoing war in Ukraine, initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022, has highlighted the crucial role of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology in the country’s defence. GPS satellites have proven to be invaluable for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in their efforts to protect their homeland. Beyond civilian applications, GPS has become an essential component of military operations worldwide, enabling the control and potential engagement of nuclear weapons, tracking military personnel and weapons systems, and conducting intelligence and surveillance operations.

However, GPS technology also has its vulnerabilities. Satellites are susceptible to various types of attacks, including kinetic threats and cyberattacks. Jamming, which involves interfering with GPS signals, has been a common tactic used against Ukrainian satellites during the war. The jamming of GPS signals has severely hindered the mobility of troops and the delivery of supplies.

To mitigate the effects of jamming, the United States has provided Ukraine with access to its Navstar GPS system operated by the US Air Force. Additionally, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has granted Ukraine satellite access through Starlink terminals, which offer internet connectivity and aid in secure communications among Ukrainian military forces. After the Starlink satellite signal was jammed, SpaceX developed anti-jamming software, which could potentially enhance the resistance of GPS satellites against such attacks.

In addition to GPS, alternative technologies like topographic mapping and artificial intelligence (AI) can complement Ukraine’s defence efforts. Topographic mapping, which collects geospatial data from direct observations and measurements of the Earth’s surface, offers several advantages over GPS, including better accuracy in challenging environments such as urban areas and increased resistance to jamming.

AI can also address the weaknesses of GPS for military purposes. For example, an Italian startup called Difly has developed AI-enabled sensors that can accurately detect land mines when installed on small drones. The Ukrainian military plans to employ this technology, which has already shown a success rate of over 95% in tests conducted by the Italian Army.

Furthermore, AI can help integrate GPS and topographic mapping synergistically. By relying on AI-driven software that weighs information from both GPS and enhanced topographic mapping, military systems can maintain functionality even if GPS signals are unavailable due to satellite attacks. AI can also contribute to increased precision over time through machine learning algorithms.

As satellites face increasing threats, it is crucial for governments and military agencies worldwide to explore alternative technologies that can provide comparable benefits to GPS. The conflict in Ukraine serves as a reminder of the urgency to identify and utilize such technologies in order to strengthen defence capabilities in the face of evolving threats.

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