Norton Rose Fulbright advises on sale of Grob Aircraft to Helsing

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, together with Noerr, has advised the shareholders of Bavarian aircraft manufacturer Grob Aircraft SE on its acquisition by Helsing SE, a leading European defence technology company. The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals. The parties have agreed not to disclose the terms of the agreement.

The two companies have already worked together successfully in the past. Grob’s aircraft served as the development platform for Cirra, Helsing's AI-powered software solution for electronic warfare. Cirra enables real-time assessment of threat scenarios. Together, the two partners intend to further develop hardware, software and AI solutions for the air combat of the future.

Grob Aircraft has many years of experience in military and civil aviation and is an established partner for flight training programmes worldwide. The company, based in Tussenhausen, Germany, has around 275 employees and uses composite materials for lightweight, durable and aerodynamic designs that are ideal as a platform for Helsing's AI. Grob Aircraft has an airfield at its headquarters and a well-filled pipeline of planned aircraft deliveries and training courses. Grob has proven itself worldwide as a reliable partner to air forces in the training of their pilots.

Frank Henkel, who led the transaction as lead partner, commented: ‘We are delighted to have advised on this transaction. This project underscores the extensive experience of Norton Rose Fulbright's international defence practice.’

Markus Radbruch, Head of Aviation Germany, adds: ‘The fact that we have once again advised on an M&A transaction in the aviation sector shows that Norton Rose Fulbright is not only a leader in aviation finance, but also claims this leading role in the aviation M&A sector.’

The shareholders of Grob Aircraft were advised on the transaction by a Munich team led by Frank Henkel (Partner, Corporate/M&A), Dr Nicolas Daamen (Counsel, Corporate/M&A) and Markus Radbruch (Partner, Aviation Finance). Markus Radbruch advised Grob Aircraft last year on the sale of 23 G 120TP aircraft to the Canadian Air Force and is also advising the company on financing matters.

They were supported by Oliver Polster (Counsel, Corporate/M&A, Hamburg), Riccardo Marinello (Counsel, Real Estate, Frankfurt), Matthias Zimmermann (Senior Associate, Aviation Finance, Munich), Sebastian Jeschke (Associate, Aviation Finance, Munich), Michael Jürgen Werner (Partner, FDI/Export Control, Antitrust, Brussels), Yannick von Schwander (Associate, FDI/Export Control, Brussels), Karine Montagut (Partner, Corporate/M&A, Paris), Marie-Adelaide de Fleurieu (Counsel, Corporate/M&A, Paris), Torsten Sauer (Partner, Corporate/M&A, Luxembourg) and Pierre Joubert (Senior Associate, Corporate/M&A, Luxembourg).

The shareholders of Grob Aircraft were also advised by a team from Noerr led by Ira Tsoures (Associate Partner, M&A, Berlin), Dominik Rompza (Partner, M&A, Berlin) and Prof. Dr. Christian Pleister (Partner, M&A, Berlin).

Helsing was advised by a Hogan Lovells team led by Dr Alexander Koch.