Tobol is a secret Russian weapon that functions as an electronic signal jammer. (Photo: Wionews)
JAKARTA – Russia is known for its sophisticated military technology and very efficient fighting power that makes it difficult for its enemies. One of Russia’s favorites is Tobol.
Tobol is secret weapon belonging to Russia which functions as an electronic signal jammer for flights in the Baltic Sea. This weapon was previously used against NATO ships and according to reports this weapon is at a military base in Kaliningrad.
Reporting from Wionews, Friday (26/04/2024) electronic attacks have caused significant disruption to satellite navigation systems, impacting the flight paths of many aircraft. The Sun has published images of a large satellite dish located at the Kaliningrad base, suggesting it is part of the Tobol system, although there has been no official confirmation. The Sun has also reported the existence of 10 similar devices across Russia.
Tobol protects Russian military bases from NATO missiles by blocking satellite signals, thereby disrupting their guidance. Even though this couldn’t stop the missile explosion, at least the missile didn’t land in a vital location.
According to The Washington Post, Tobol works by mixing signals with satellite broadcasts, thereby disrupting information for all users.
In January, CensusQ’s Erik Kannike stated in X that widespread GPS interference affecting NATO assets may have been caused by Tobol.
According to Newsweek, Finland, Poland, and Sweden have all experienced GPS outages recently. Swedish Lieutenant Colonel Joakim Paasikivi attributed the interference to Russian influence activities or hybrid warfare.
A classified US intelligence report, as reported by The Washington Post in April 2023, revealed that Russia had tested Tobol to disrupt Starlink transmissions in Ukraine. Access to satellite networks like Starlink is critical to Ukraine’s operations and communications.
What is the function of jamming?
All modern aircraft use equipment to communicate with satellite systems such as GPS and Galileo, helping pilots navigate accurately.
Jamming occurs when someone deliberately interferes with the signal so that the plane cannot know its location. This increases the risk of accidents as pilots and air traffic controllers lose track of the plane. Jamming is different from spoofing, which tricks aircraft equipment into thinking it is somewhere else.
