Airbus To Train Cybersecurity Experts For French Armed Forces, 8-Year Contract Inked

The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has signed a significant framework contract with Airbus Defence and Space, along with its co-contractor Neverhack, to develop a comprehensive training and education programme for cybersecurity experts at the Ministry of the Armed Forces, including ‘cyber warriors’ in the armed forces.

This eight-year contract will equip the French armed forces with advanced cyber defence capabilities, significantly enhancing the operational maturity of cyber warriors across the military.

What is the scope of the framework contract signed by DGA?

The contract, led by Airbus Defence and Space and Neverhack, covers the development, production, and operational maintenance of training platforms for cybersecurity professionals within the French Ministry of the Armed Forces. These platforms will provide training, coaching services, and the development of operational cyber defence scenarios.

A central feature of this project is the establishment of a cyber defence training centre at the Cyber Defence Academy of the Cyber Defence Command (COMCYBER) in Rennes. This centre will specifically target the training needs of cyber specialists, boosting the overall cybersecurity capabilities of France’s armed forces.

What kind of cyber threats will the training platforms address?

The training platforms will cover a wide range of cyber threats, including malicious attacks using malware, denial of service attacks, data theft, information manipulation, and cyber influence operations such as disinformation on social media.

By simulating attack-defence scenarios in a digital military environment, these platforms will enable comprehensive training for personnel in both national and multinational military exercises, such as Orion and DefNet. The training aims to enhance the effectiveness and operational maturity of the armed forces in managing the evolving landscape of cyber threats.

How will the collaboration between Airbus and start-ups impact the project?

In order to stay ahead of emerging cyber threats and technologies, Airbus Defence and Space will collaborate with start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to integrate new innovations into the training platforms.

One area of focus will be artificial intelligence (AI), which will be used to enhance the realism and adaptability of cyber attack scenarios. This collaboration will ensure that the training systems remain current and capable of addressing new and sophisticated cyber threats as they emerge.

What is the impact of this contract on France’s cybersecurity efforts?

This contract is part of a strategy to strengthen France’s cyber defence capabilities and develop a robust pool of cybersecurity experts. Airbus Defence and Space has been deploying its CyberRange platforms for nearly 10 years in sensitive sectors, including ministries and companies.

These platforms have already been used to conduct training exercises, challenges, and educational events such as ‘Passe ton Hack D’abord,’ a cybersecurity event organised for 7,000 students in partnership with COMCYBER and the Ministry of National Education. Airbus’s CyberRange platform is also deployed in over 25 partner schools to support cybersecurity training courses, contributing to the development of future experts in the field.

Additionally, Airbus Defence and Space provides Security Operations Centres (SOCs) deployed by the Ministry of the Armed Forces in mainland France, as well as Tactical SOCs for external operations. These centres oversee the security of France’s information and communication systems, enhancing the country’s ability to respond to cyber threats both at home and during military operations abroad.