Airbus acquires French cybersecurity company Quarkslab
Airbus has acquired Quarkslab, a French cybersecurity company founded in 2011 and focused on protecting software, critical assets and data against cyberattacks. The transaction was completed after receiving the necessary regulatory approvals, as part of Airbus‘ strategy to strengthen its cybersecurity operations in France and across Europe.
Quarkslab was previously supported by global alternative asset manager Tikehau Capital since 2020. Airbus said the company’s expertise and team will be integrated into its fast-growing cybersecurity activities.
Headquartered in France, Quarkslab has a team of around 100 people, mainly based in Paris and Rennes. The company works with public institutions and private-sector clients, developing cybersecurity solutions aimed at protecting users, critical assets and data from cyber threats.
Its flagship product, QShield, provides a comprehensive security solution for software providers. The platform is designed to protect software against AI-related threats while securing data and source code. It also includes technologies intended to prevent software components running on endpoints from being analyzed through reverse engineering by attackers or AI systems, a capability considered especially important for the defense and aerospace sectors.
Quarkslab combines its QLab team and QShield platform to deliver customized protection against advanced cyberattacks for public and private customers. Its cybersecurity engineers and developers work by combining academic research with real-world applications to develop new security technologies.
Airbus Connected Intelligence President François Lombard said the Quarkslab team and its expertise will support Airbus’ growing cybersecurity activities. He added that the acquisition will strengthen Airbus’ work to build a resilient and sovereign cybersecurity structure in France and Europe.
The purchase follows Airbus’ recent cybersecurity acquisitions in Europe. The company acquired Germany-based Infodas in 2024 and UK-based Ultra Cyber Ltd in March 2026. Airbus currently operates cybersecurity activities in France, the UK, Germany, Spain and Finland, providing cybersecurity solutions to governments, armed forces and institutions to help protect critical digital infrastructure.
