GPS jamming in the South China Sea today
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The South China Sea today: 14.6% of monitored areas are affected (1.6% high: red or purple).
Source: GPSInterference.com, https://gpsinterference.com/region/south-china-sea. Free to reuse with this credit and a link.
Cities and airports
| Place | Share affected | Aircraft affected |
|---|---|---|
| Manila Ninoy Aquino (MNL) | 4.7% | 74 of 1,566 |
| Kota Kinabalu (BKI) | 3.1% | 16 of 514 |
| Hong Kong (HKG) | 2.4% | 121 of 5,147 |
| Hanoi Noi Bai (HAN) | 2.3% | 36 of 1,566 |
Background
The Philippine Navy confirmed signal disruptions in the West Philippine Sea in 2024, reaching back several years, and said it had not identified who was behind them; they affect ships' tracking and communications, not GPS accuracy for aircraft (Daily Tribune, 2024). A paper Singapore presented to ICAO in 2024, co-sponsored by Viet Nam, said South East Asia is especially exposed to GNSS interference because so many of its flights are over water, beyond ground navigation aids (ICAO Air Navigation Conference paper, June 2024). For the reporting on interference in the South China Sea, and who it is attributed to, see the East Asian Seas.
By altitude
The South China Sea: no clear altitude pattern. How this is read.
| Altitude | Aircraft | Share affected |
|---|---|---|
| Below 5,000 ft | 3,056 | 2.8% |
| 5,000 to 15,000 ft | 6,244 | 2.3% |
| 15,000 to 30,000 ft | 7,127 | 1.4% |
| Above 30,000 ft | 7,481 | 1.4% |
The South China Sea is a sub-area of the East Asian Seas, not a country. Its figures count the hexagons whose centre lies in its box, 5° N to 23° N and 105° E to 121° E.
The South China Sea is counted under the East Asian Seas; its centre also lies within South and Southeast Asia.
Most affected areas
| Place | Share affected | Aircraft affected | Cell |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 16.7% | 2 of 12 | 217/-69 |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 11.1% | 3 of 27 | 208/-86 |
Over time
The South China Sea by day since 12 March 2023: the share of monitored areas affected, over 1,271 days with data.
Worst and best days on record
- The worst day on record for the South China Sea was 14 March 2023, when 66.7% of its monitored areas were affected (46 of 69).
- The best day on record for the South China Sea was 15 March 2023, when 7.9% of its monitored areas were affected (5 of 63).
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Questions
Is GPS being jammed in the South China Sea right now?
On 14 November 2026, 14.6% of the areas we monitor over the South China Sea were affected, 1.6% badly. That is close to its 30-day average of 14.9%.
Where in the South China Sea is it worst?
Around China, where 16.7% of aircraft reported poor GPS accuracy on 14 November 2026.
Is it getting worse in the South China Sea?
Not lately. On an average day in the last 30, 14.9% of its areas were affected, much as in the 30 days before (14.8%).
Is it safe to fly to the South China Sea?
Airliners carry navigation that doesn't rely on GPS, and NOTAMs warn crews of known interference. The map shows where GPS was degraded, not how safe a flight is: see its limitations.
Nearby
Pages near the South China Sea: East Asian Seas, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand.
Neutrality. We measure and describe data, it is not our job to take sides. The map records where aircraft lost position accuracy, which can come from jamming, spoofing, military testing, equipment faults or space weather. Our data alone can't say who is responsible, so we don't. When we mention a likely source, it's because a government, regulator or reputable outlet has said so publicly. That is their assessment, not ours, and we link to it. Region names and borders follow common international usage and imply no position on any dispute. If you think a page falls short of this, email contact@libregps.com and we'll review it.