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Aerospace and defense
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We work with leading defense companies, government bodies and regulators on a wide range of legal services that are unique to the sector.

Our global defense sector group covers all key markets around the world. We have a complete understanding of the industry’s challenges and opportunities, and combine detailed knowledge of the sector with deep technical skills in areas such as M&A, regulatory and antitrust, IP, cyber and AI.

Defense companies face change driven by new technologies, evolving business models, cyber threats, export controls, geopolitical disruptions, and significant regulatory and public/ESG scrutiny. 

We guide and support governments and private sector defense clients through their complex transformations by adeptly navigating all legal and commercial challenges that arise, including transactional, regulatory, investigation and litigation work.  

The areas we cover include, among others, M&A, including combinations and divestments, FDI, sanctions, antitrust, cyber, IP/AI, tech collaboration and corporate ventures, ESG, dispute resolution, shareholder and NGO activism, and risk and crisis management. We have great experience in navigating the (cross-border) distribution of sensitive technology in compliance with international regulations.

We have a long history of successful delivery within this specialised domain. Working with us is a strategic alliance that promises not only legal acumen but a profound understanding of the defense sector's complexities.

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Antitrust and competition
Artificial intelligence
Data, privacy and cyber security
ESG risk and advisory
Industrials
Intellectual property
Mergers and acquisitions
Public procurement
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National Security
Highlight experience

Highlight experience

Oct 24 2025
Freshfields advises Leonardo on signing MoU with Thales and Airbus to create a European leader in the space sector

Global law firm Freshfields assisted Leonardo in the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Thales and Airbus for the creation of a European leader in the space sector.

Aug 4 2025
Freshfields assisted Iveco Group in the sale of Iveco Defence to Leonardo

Global law firm Freshfields assisted Iveco Group in the agreement to sell Iveco Defence to Leonardo for Euro 1.7bn.

Jul 16 2025
Freshfields advises AST SpaceMobile on its joint venture with Vodafone

Global law firm Freshfields is advising AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) on its joint venture with the Vodafone Group (“Vodafone”). The new joint venture company, SatCo, is headquartered in Luxembourg and will exclusively distribute AST SpaceMobile’s satellite services to European mobile network operators under a single turnkey arrangement.

Apr 3 2025
Freshfields Advises Leggett & Platt on Sale of its Aerospace Products Group to Tinicum

Freshfields advised Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (NYSE: LEG), on its US $285m sale of its Aerospace Products Group to funds managed by Tinicum Incorporated, a U.S.-based private investment firm.

Dec 19 2024
Freshfields advises BAE Systems on landmark joint venture to deliver next generation combat aircraft

Global law firm Freshfields is advising BAE Systems plc on its strategic business joint venture with Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd (“JAIEC”) to form a new company to deliver the next generation combat aircraft under the Global Combat Air Programme (“GCAP”).

Feb 9 2024
Freshfields advises BAE Systems on Air Astana IPO

Freshfields advised BAE Systems on Air Astana's US$847M IPO, listing shares & GDRs on London, Astana, and Kazakhstan exchanges. This marked the first LSE Main Market IPO of 2024.

Contacts

Contacts

Meet the team
San Francisco
Beth GeorgePartner
Silicon Valley, Washington, DC
Brock DahlHead of US Data Privacy
London
Piers Prichard JonesPartner
Brussels
Deborah JanssensPartner, Global Co-Head of Industrials
Milan
Nicola AstiPartner
London
Kate GoughPartner
Washington, DC
Nathan CastellanoCounsel
Meet the team
Our thinking

Our thinking

Jan 19 2026
Investing in the German Defence Sector - Investment Control Law: Stricter Scrutiny in the Era of the ‘Zeitenwende’
For investors in the German defence sector, foreign direct investment (FDI) control proceedings pose one of the most significant hurdles...
Jan 5 2026
AI Supply Chain and Security: Congress Mandates Strict Controls for AI acquired by the U.S. Defense Agencies and Intelligence Community
For companies interested in selling AI to U.S. defense and intelligence agencies, the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)...
Dec 3 2025
Investing in the German Defence Sector – BMWE Releases Guidance on Drones and Loitering Munitions
This week, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) released an official guidance paper (Merkblatt) on the...
Nov 25 2025
UK Gov launches consultation on an offsets regime for the defence sector: time to have your say.
On 23 October 2025, the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) launched an open consultation seeking views from the market on a potential new...
Nov 21 2025
Investing in the German Defence Sector – Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities
In this new blog series, we explore key regulatory opportunities and challenges shaping investments in the German and European defence...
Jun 27 2025
Defence Tech M&A – Key Legal Insights in a High Stakes Market
This blog provides a high-level overview of legal due diligence considerations for investors considering investing in the defence...
Jun 26 2025
Armed for opportunity: navigating investment and compliance in the Dutch defence sector
While public defence spending is set to rise significantly, increased private sector involvement is also being encouraged. In this blog,...
Blog
Jun 24 2025
Roadmap for EU Defence Consolidation: Guidance on M&A and State aid in the EU Commission’s Defence Readiness Omnibus
The European Commission (EC) recently unveiled its Defence Readiness Omnibus (the Omnibus), an initiative designed to reduce regulatory...
Blog
Jun 6 2025
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review 2025: Risks, Readiness & Regulatory considerations
In the context of increasing global instability the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR), published this week, highlights the UK...
Blog
Apr 29 2025
New EU Regulation on defence-related investments - EU opens up additional funds for defence investments
Last week, the European Commission (EC) published its draft proposal for a Regulation aimed at incentivising defence-related investments...
Blog
Mar 24 2025
REARM Europe: Antitrust considerations following the White Paper on Defence
Europe finds itself at a pivotal moment, simultaneously affected by both war and an international order undergoing significant change. ...
Blog
Sep 18 2024
The European Defence Industry Programme: key takeaways for businesses
The defence sector has never been more important for the European Union. The war in Ukraine has led to a heightened sense of urgency...
Blog collection
Jan 22 2025
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