French Defence Firm Naval Group Investigates Potential Cyber Leak
Paris, July 28, 2025 — French state-owned defence contractor Naval Group has launched an internal investigation following reports of a potential cybersecurity breach that may have led to the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, company officials confirmed on Monday.
The probe comes amid growing concerns over cyber threats targeting Europe’s defence and critical infrastructure sectors. Naval Group, which specializes in naval defence and warship construction—including France’s nuclear-powered submarines—said it is working closely with French national cybersecurity authorities to assess the scope and impact of the incident.
Investigation Underway
“Naval Group has identified anomalies within its network and has initiated a thorough internal review,” the company said in a brief statement. “At this stage, there is no evidence that any classified defence information has been compromised.”
(Source: Naval Group press release, July 28, 2025)
However, the firm has not confirmed reports in French media that a foreign-linked hacking group may be behind the intrusion. Unverified claims circulating on cybersecurity forums suggest that documents related to European naval programmes may have been leaked on the dark web.
France’s Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information (ANSSI), the national cybersecurity agency, has reportedly been alerted and is coordinating with Naval Group to conduct forensic analysis.
(Source: Le Monde, “Fuite de données chez Naval Group: ANSSI saisie”, July 28, 2025)
Past Breaches Resurface
This is not the first time Naval Group has been linked to cyber vulnerabilities. In 2016, a major leak of sensitive documents related to the Scorpène-class submarine, designed by Naval Group for India, raised alarms over cybersecurity protocols within the defence sector. While the current incident does not appear to be on the same scale, analysts say it underscores persistent risks.
“This situation reflects an ongoing trend of nation-state actors targeting defence firms for strategic gain,” said Julien Nocetti, a cybersecurity expert at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI). “Whether this is corporate espionage or something more geopolitical remains to be seen.”
(Source: Interview with IFRI, France24, July 28, 2025)
Political Sensitivity
The alleged leak comes at a delicate time for France, which is ramping up its defence posture amid growing instability in Eastern Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Naval Group is a critical player in the French military-industrial complex, with ongoing contracts not just in France but with partners in Australia, India, Greece, and Indonesia.
(Source: Naval Group Annual Report 2024)
The French Ministry of Armed Forces has so far declined to comment, stating only that it is “closely monitoring the situation.”
(Source: AFP, “Le ministère des Armées surveille la situation chez Naval Group”, July 28, 2025)
What’s Next
Naval Group has assured stakeholders that mitigation protocols have been activated and that systems have been secured to prevent further unauthorized access. Employees have reportedly been instructed to follow enhanced cyber hygiene practices.
The company said further updates would be provided once the investigation yields more concrete findings.
Sources:
- Naval Group Press Release, July 28, 2025.
- Le Monde, “Fuite de données chez Naval Group: ANSSI saisie,” July 28, 2025.
- France24 interview with Julien Nocetti, IFRI, July 28, 2025.
- Naval Group Annual Report, 2024.
- AFP, “Le ministère des Armées surveille la situation chez Naval Group,” July 28, 2025.