German military temporarily suspends military drone operations due to cyberattacks by hostile forces

The British daily Financial Times (FT) reported on the 12th (local time), citing sources familiar with the matter, that German defense drone company Quantum Systems had been exposed to cyber attacks and the German military had suspended the operation of the company's drones.

According to reports, Quantum Systems notified customers that it had recently confirmed that a malicious update file had been distributed through a server that provides updates to QBase, its ground control and mission planning system.

Quantum Systems has contracts with the military in Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands.

Quantum Systems confirmed the incident in late October and said in a statement that an immediate internal investigation revealed a cyber-enabled attack by a hostile force.

He then explained that the company's information technology (IT) and security teams have blocked the threat through close and transparent cooperation with the relevant authorities.

Sources said that after the accident, the German military suspended operation of Quantum Systems' drones as a precaution, which prevented the company from participating in recent training conducted by the German military.

Previously, German intelligence agencies had warned in July that the risk of German defense industries being exposed to Russian cyber attacks, espionage, and sabotage, especially from companies supporting Ukraine, had increased.

Quantum Systems has more than 200 employees in Ukraine and produces small attack drones, interceptor drones, and unmanned ground vehicles through three joint ventures with Ukrainian companies.

Quantum Systems, a drone startup, has grown at a rapid pace in recent years as drones turned the tide of war after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and European countries increased their defense spending. In this year's new financing, the company's value was recognized as 7 billion euros (about 10 trillion won).