When GPS Fails on the Battlefield: A Growing Threat in 2025
By Kenneth Morrison, VP Government Programs at ANELLO Photonics
In today's contested operational environment, GPS can no longer be assumed as a reliable navigation foundation. What was once considered an assured capability has become a primary vulnerability in modern defense operations.
As adversaries deploy increasingly sophisticated jamming and spoofing technologies across global theaters, GPS-dependent systems face mounting risks. For defense operators and autonomous platforms, the strategic question has shifted from whether GPS denial will occur, to when a GPS denial will occur, and if navigation systems can maintain mission effectiveness when it does. From Eastern Europe to the South China Sea, military and commercial operators are facing unprecedented levels of GPS interference. Jamming and spoofing have surged 220% since 2024, causing not just operational delays – but potential daily economic losses exceeding $1 billion. When GPS fails, lives, assets, and missions are immediately at risk. The infographic below offers a data-driven snapshot of just how pervasive and costly this threat has already become in 2025.
Fig. 1: Global rise in GPS disruption and its impact across military and commercial operations in 2025.
The Battlefield Reality
Across active conflict zones and contested environments, GPS interference has become a defining feature of modern warfare.
- 95% of military users depend on GPS for positioning.
- $50 jammers can disrupt or spoof critical navigation systems.
- 1,000+ NATO interference events are reported monthly.
- 1,022 disruptions were logged across Europe in June 2025 alone.
- Strike accuracy in Ukraine has dropped to below 10% during GPS interference.
The Limits of GNSS Dependence
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have powered global defense, logistics, and communication infrastructure for decades. But as adversaries weaponize the electromagnetic spectrum, reliance on GPS becomes a single point of failure.When even low-cost jammers can disrupt billion-dollar assets, the question shifts from if to when GPS will fail. Operators can no longer afford to rely solely on external satellite signals. Resilient, GPS-independent navigation is now mission-critical, not optional.
The Role of Inertial Navigation
Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) offer the proven alternative: self-contained, high-precision navigation that operates independently of satellite signals.By using advanced gyroscopes and accelerometers, INS technology tracks movement, orientation, and position, even in total GPS denial. Yet, traditional Fiber-Optic and MEMS gyros have historically been bulky, costly, or insufficiently accurate for next-generation defense systems.
That’s where ANELLO’s breakthrough comes in.Enter ANELLO SiPhOG™
ANELLO Photonics’ SiPhOG™ (Silicon Photonics Optical Gyroscope) delivers tactical-grade accuracy in a compact, rugged form factor. Built on a scalable photonic chip, it combines the precision of optical technology with the manufacturability of high-volume semiconductors - making it ideal for deployment across land, air and sea.
When paired with the ANELLO AI Sensor Fusion Engine, the system integrates data from multiple sensors and applies real-time machine learning to predict movement, correct drift, and detect spoofing events. This enables continuous, trusted navigation even during complete GPS outages. Key Benefits of ANELLO SiPhOG™:- Maintains accuracy through long durations of GPS loss.
- Detects and corrects spoofing attempts automatically.
- Enables precise navigation for UAVs, UGVs, USVs, UUVs and manned platforms.
- Built for rugged military, maritime, and subterranean environments.
A Cross-Domain Imperative
The numbers tell the story:
- 80% of military drones rely on GPS.
- 90% of vehicle navigation failures are GPS-related.
- 1,000+ NATO interference events are reported monthly.
In an era defined by multi-domain operations across land, air, and sea, the need for resilient, independent navigation solutions has never been greater — and the ANELLO SiPhOG technology delivers fiber-optic–class stability to keep missions on course when GNSS falters.
Final Thoughts
The era of GPS-only navigation is over. From defense to autonomy, the world is entering an age where resilience, redundancy, and independence define mission success.
At ANELLO Photonics, we're building the foundation for a new era of navigation — one where operators move with unwavering confidence; missions proceed without interruption, and systems adapt seamlessly when GPS signals vanish. Our silicon photonics technology isn't just solving today's challenges; it's unlocking possibilities we've only begun to imagine.
The future belongs to those who can navigate anywhere, anytime, and under any conditions.
Join us in redefining what's possible and learn more at anellophotonics.com