German probe opens into suspected internal spying at Airbus
German prosecutors have opened an investigation into suspected internal spying by employees of European aviation giant Airbus over two arms projects, sources said on 18 September.
The suspicions arose 'a few weeks ago', and the company has alerted the authorities in the southern German city of Munich, an Airbus source said.
'Some of our employees had documents that they shouldn't have had,' the source said.
The employees work in the Munich-based Programme Line Communications, Intelligence and Security (CIS), which handles cybersecurity and related activities.
Airbus said it was conducting an 'ongoing internal review with the support of an external law firm' in the case.
'The company is fully cooperating with relevant authorities to resolve the matter,' it said in a statement.
It said it had 'self-declared to German authorities potential wrongdoings by several employees with respect to certain customer documents relating to two future German procurement projects' handled by CIS.
Munich prosecutors could not be reached for comment late that night.
The German daily Bild reported that around 20 Airbus employees were immediately suspended and that investigators had seized files and computers.
Bild said the employees had obtained secret files of the German army involving the acquisition of a communication system, among other subjects.
The army disciplined one employee, Bild reported.
More from Defence Notes
-
Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention
As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.
-
European Commission sets out first-ever European Defence Industrial strategy
The strategy set out by the Commission will aim to bolster Europe’s defence industry, foster innovation and strengthen international alliances.
-
Boeing fined $51 million due to unauthorised exports
An administrative settlement between the US Department of State and the manufacturer resolved 199 violations of US regulations including unauthorised exports of technical data to China.
-
Aging infrastructure is endangering US military’s capacity to innovate
The US’s ability to prepare for future conflicts had been placed at risk with many Pentagon laboratories and testing centres being housed in poorly maintained and aging structures.