Aerospace & Defense overview

White & Case supports governments, prime and subcontractors, manufacturers, technology companies, investors and other participants across the aerospace and defense value chain in navigating the sector’s most complex legal and regulatory challenges.

Our team delivers strategic counsel on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate finance, cross-border disputes, intellectual property, white-collar investigations, FCPA compliance, contract negotiations, export controls and trade compliance. We bring depth in ITAR/EAR compliance, CFIUS reviews and sanctions regimes, enabling clients to meet evolving regulatory requirements with confidence.

Leveraging strong relationships with industry stakeholders and regulators, alongside our cross-border capabilities, we provide practical, insight-driven solutions. As the sector evolves in response to geopolitical shifts, technological innovation and changing supply chains, we help clients anticipate risk, seize opportunities and achieve their strategic objectives.

Aerospace & Defense experience

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.