An RAF jet carrying Defence Secretary John Healey experienced signal interference believed to be caused by Russian jamming during a flight from Estonia to the United Kingdom last week. The incident occurred on Thursday shortly after the flight departed near the Russian border while returning from Mr. Healey’s visit to British troops in Estonia.

According to reports, the aircraft’s satellite communications and GPS navigation were disabled for the entire three-hour journey, forcing pilots to rely on backup navigation systems. Passengers on board, including photographers and a reporter, were informed that smartphones and laptops lost internet connectivity due to the disruption. The plane affected was a Dassault Falcon 900LX, a model also used by King Charles, with some cockpit instruments reportedly malfunctioning as a result of the interference. Restarting the affected systems was not possible while airborne, as the plane required a full reboot.

Officials have not confirmed whether Mr. Healey was specifically targeted, but noted that the aircraft’s flight path was visible on tracking websites, indicating the signal jamming was more broadly applied. A defence source acknowledged the potential risk such interference poses to civilian aircraft but emphasized that the RAF is prepared to manage such challenges. This incident follows earlier reports that Russia had jammed the GPS signal of another RAF jet carrying former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps in 2024.

The signal jamming episode comes one day after revelations that Russian fighter jets conducted dangerously close maneuvers against an RAF Rivet Joint reconnaissance plane over the Black Sea last month. Russian Su-35 and Su-27 aircraft flew within close proximity—approximately 20 feet or six meters—of the unarmed British surveillance aircraft at speeds exceeding 500 mph. This aggressive tactic, known as a “Crazy Ivan” maneuver, caused the Rivet Joint’s autopilot system to disengage and triggered emergency procedures.

In response to these events, Defence Secretary Healey condemned the Russian actions as reckless and unacceptable, highlighting the significant risks they pose to operational safety and international stability. He praised the professionalism and courage of RAF crews who continued their missions despite these provocations and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to defending NATO allies and its own interests against Russian aggression.

Following the near-miss over the Black Sea, the UK has reportedly suspended Rivet Joint surveillance flights in the region, with no such missions recorded since April 21. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about increased Russian activity in UK waters, including submarine operations targeting undersea data cables critical to Britain’s infrastructure, as disclosed by the Ministry of Defence last month. The Ministry has been approached for further comment on these developments.