RAND Study Proposes Using 4G/5G Networks to Counter Air Defenses in Taiwan and the Baltics

A new RAND study suggests leveraging 4G and 5G cellular networks to detect and jam mobile surface-to-air missile radars in defense of the Baltic states and Taiwan. Timothy Bond, a senior RAND fellow, noted that Taiwan’s network is over 50% 5G, while the Baltics primarily use 4G, making them potential tools for targeting enemy radars and jammers. The study highlights that Russian air defense radars and GPS jammers operate on frequencies detectable by 4G/5G systems, allowing them to help guide attacks on electronic warfare threats. This technology could enhance NATO and Taiwan’s ability to counter Russian and Chinese air defense systems, particularly those disrupting Lockheed Martin’s Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS). The findings underscore the growing role of civilian telecom networks in modern warfare and electronic countermeasures.

Original document