Helsing acquires Grob Aircraft – Noerr advises on strategic defence deal

Following its restructuring into a new SE parent company, AI company Helsing, which specialises in defence technology, has signed a binding agreement to acquire German aircraft manufacturer Grob Aircraft SE. Noerr is providing legal and tax advice to the sellers and is also advising on matters relating to the target company. The Noerr team is led by Ira Tsoures, Dominik Rompza, and Christian Pleister.

Together, the two companies will develop the next generation of capabilities for aerial warfare. By combining Grob Aircraft’s expertise in composite aircraft manufacturing with Helsing’s artificial intelligence (AI) and software solutions – as Europe’s leading defence technology company – the partnership unlocks significant potential for innovation and growth.

Grob Aircraft has a long track record in military and general aviation and is a trusted partner for flight training programmes worldwide. The company’s composite aircraft technology ensures lightweight, durable and aerodynamic designs, providing an ideal platform for Helsing’s AI capabilities.

The transaction is subject to the necessary regulatory approvals. The parties have agreed not to disclose further details of the terms.

The Noerr team provided advice together with Norton Rose Fulbright.

Noerr’s advisors:

Lead: Ira Tsoures (associated partner, M&A, Berlin), Dominik Rompza (partner, M&A, Berlin), Christian Pleister (partner, M&A, Berlin)

M&A: Nicolas Schlüter (senior associate, Berlin), Marco Siemers (senior associate, Hamburg), Tarik Khettal (associate, Berlin), Anita Schiele (associate, Berlin), Elmar Trautmann (associate, Berlin)

International Trade: Bärbel Sachs (partner, Berlin)

Capital Markets: Stephan Schulz (partner, Hamburg), Juri Stremel (senior associate, Hamburg)

Digital Business: Patrick Neidinger (associated partner, Munich)

Real Estate: Tim Behrens (partner, Frankfurt)

Tax: Carsten Heinz (lead, partner, München), Michael Tommaso (partner, Berlin), Antonia Rondón Díaz (senior associate, Berlin)

Norton Rose Fulbright’s advisors: Frank Henkel (partner, M&A, Munich), Nicolas Daamen (counsel, M&A, Munich), Markus Radbruch (partner, Financing, Munich)