Drohnenhersteller: Generalstaatsanwalt ermittelt nach Cyberattacke auf Quantum

A cyberattack targeted the drone manufacturer Quantum Systems, prompting the Generalstaatsanwaltschaft Bamberg to launch criminal investigations. The inquiry is being conducted jointly by the Central Cybercrime Unit in Bamberg and the Bavarian State Criminal Office. Quantum Systems supplies Ukraine's armed forces with electronic reconnaissance and interception drones.

The Munich-based company, valued at seven billion euros, is among Germany's most valuable startups. Quantum Systems planned to expand production in Ukraine, announcing early October that Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) would deliver thousands of interception drones to be manufactured in Ukraine. The cyberattack occurred at the end of October.

The identity of the perpetrator, speculated to be "a hostile actor," has not been publicly confirmed. European security experts and authorities estimate that Russia has increased its cyberattacks against Western Europe in recent months. Quantum Systems publicly disclosed the attack on Thursday evening and informed the relevant authorities.

The target of the attack, as reported by The Süddeutsche Zeitung, involved malware affecting an update server. The investigation also involves the Federal Office for Protection against Secret Services, the Bundeswehr Secret Intelligence Service MAD, and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). Discussions of the cyberattack also take place within the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior and the state's security authorities.

According to Quantum Systems, their drones are currently deployed worldwide. Earlier, The Financial Times reported that only the Bundeswehr had temporarily suspended flights of Quantum's drones.