Sovereigns

Aerospace & Defense

We provide the sector's key players with practical and strategic counsel on the wide range of issues they face in a world of geopolitical shifts, technological innovation and evolving regulation.
Aerospace & Defense

Aerospace & Defense overview

Our aerospace and defense clients face complex legal and regulatory challenges around the world. We offer them practical, insight-driven solutions that help them anticipate risk, seize opportunities and achieve their strategic goals. With Firmwide global cohesion, we see the big picture that informs every matter and issue.

Our offering

Wide-ranging industry coverage

Our clients include governments, prime and subcontractors, manufacturers, satellite operators and service providers, technology companies, investors, and other participants across the aerospace and defense value chain.

Regulatory depth

Clients benefit from our strong relationships with industry regulators and deep knowledge of evolving regulatory requirements, including those related to:

  • Foreign direct investment (FDI) regimes
  • International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
  • Export Administration Regulations (EAR), including space and satellite-related controls
  • Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) reviews
  • Sanctions regimes
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and broader anti-corruption compliance
  • Export controls and trade compliance

Comprehensive representation

Our strategic counsel encompasses: Mergers & Acquisitions; joint ventures and strategic alliances; corporate finance; cross-border disputes; Intellectual Property; Technology Transactions, White Collar/Investigations and enforcement matters; defense procurement, including direct commercial sales and government-to-government agreements, and related offset and industrial cooperation arrangements.

Complex and consequential matters

Contracts relating to largest anti-drone system in Europe

White & Case advised Polish company Advanced Protection Systems S.A. (APS) on contracts for its delivery of key components for Poland's SAN anti-drone shield (Project SAN), Europe's largest anti-drone system. The total value of Project SAN is approximately US$4.2 billion.

First European defence bond issued by a financial institution in Europe

White & Case advised Groupe BPCE on the first European defence bond issued by a financial institution in Europe. The €750 million senior unsecured bond issue was included in Euronext's new European Defence Bond label.

Strategic investment in Harmattan AI, a next-generation defense company developing autonomous, scalable and attritable defense systems

White & Case advised Bpifrance and Future French Champions on their strategic investment, alongside Dassault Aviation, in Harmattan AI. The transaction was led by Dassault Aviation as part of a strategic partnership to accelerate the integration of controlled autonomy and AI technologies into combat aviation systems. Future French Champions is a joint venture between The Qatar Investment Authority and Bpifrance.

Embraer's US$1 billion notes offering and concurrent tender offers

White & Case LLP advised a consortium of leading banks, as underwriters, on Embraer's US$1 billion notes and Morgan Stanley, as dealer manager, on the concurrent intermediated capped tender offer. Embraer is a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil that operates in the commercial aviation, executive aviation, defense & security, and related service and support segments.

Colt CZ's acquisition of chemical manufacturer Synthesia Nitrocellulose

White & Case LLP advised Colt CZ Group SE on its approx. US$1.05 billion acquisition of Synthesia Nitrocellulose, a.s., a newly established spin-off of Synthesia, a.s., and a leading European and North American manufacturer of energetic nitrocellulose. Colt CZ, together with its subsidiaries, ranks among the world's leading producers of firearms and ammunition for military and law enforcement, personal defense, hunting, sport shooting and other commercial applications.

UK Export Finance – backed loan to finance supply of ex-Royal Navy minesweepers to Ukraine

White & Case advised Ukraine's Ministry of Finance, as borrower, on a UK Export Finance – backed loan for the supply of two ex-Royal Navy minesweepers and related services to the country's Ministry of Defence.

Czechoslovak Group's US$1 billion and €1 billion dual-tranche notes issuance

White & Case advised the joint global coordinators, joint physical bookrunners and initial purchasers, and joint bookrunner and initial purchaser, on the issuance of US$1 billion and €1 billion senior secured notes by Czechoslovak Group a.s., a leading defense, industrial and technology group with global operations.