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  1. Our capabilities
  2. Aerospace and defense

Aerospace and defense

Aerospace and defense

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.

Related capabilities

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

Highlight experience

Highlight experience

Jun 15 2026

Freshfields advises SpaceX on European offering as part of its landmark IPO

Freshfields has advised Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) as European lead counsel on the European offering forming part of its global initial public offering of shares of Class A common stock – the largest IPO in history.

Jun 8 2026

Freshfields Advises Arcline on its US$535m Acquisition of Continental Aerospace Technologies

Freshfields is advising Arcline Investment Management on its proposed acquisition of Continental Aerospace Technologies, from Hong Kong-listed Continental Aerospace Technologies Holding Limited (Stock Code: 232) for approximately US$535 million.

Apr 9 2026

Freshfields advises Blackstone on recommended cash acquisition of Senior plc

Global law firm Freshfields has advised funds managed by Blackstone as part of a consortium on the recommended cash acquisition of Senior plc, a UK-listed international manufacturer of high-technology components and systems serving the aerospace, defence and energy markets.

Feb 18 2026

Freshfields Advises Onodrim Industries on Seed Funding

Global law firm Freshfields is advising Onodrim Industries, an Amsterdam-based European defense technology company, on its €40 million seed funding. The round was led by Founders Fund, Lakestar, and General Catalyst, with participation from leading funds and angels across Europe and the US. Onodrim Industries is a European defense and industrial technology platform developing the next generation of hardware, software, and industrial capacity required for Europe's long-term security, resilience, and prosperity.

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

Meet the team
San Francisco, New York

Beth George

Head of US Litigation, Arbitration and Global Investigations
London

Piers Prichard Jones

Partner
Brussels

Deborah Janssens

Partner, Global Co-Head of Industrials
Munich, Düsseldorf

Stephan Waldhausen

Partner, Global Co-Head of Industrials
Milan

Nicola Asti

Partner
London

Kate Gough

Partner
Paris

Guillemette Burgala

Partner
Paris

Charlotte Colin-Dubuisson

Partner
Paris

Alexandra van der Meulen

Partner
Washington, DC

Nathan Castellano

Counsel
New York

Nicholas Lütgerath

Partner
Meet the team

Our thinking

Our thinking

Related capabilities

Antitrust and competitionArtificial intelligenceData, privacy and cyber securityESG risk and advisoryIndustrialsIntellectual propertyMergers and acquisitionsPublic procurementSanctions
Related capabilities
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