Defence
The defence sector is a complex and strategically vital field that drives national security, technological innovation and global collaboration. It spans a wide range of enterprises and services, from military technology, defence engineering, and drones to cyber and information security, as well as air, naval, land, and space defence systems.
NKF regularly advises and represents companies and state-affiliated enterprises in the defence industry, combining deep sector insight with multidisciplinary legal expertise. Our consulting services cover the full spectrum, from corporate law advice – in particular M&A transactions and joint ventures – to contract law, as well as issues relating to export and import regulations and sanctions compliance.
Drawing on extensive experience, NKF supports clients across all areas of the defence ecosystem — from defence contractors and technology innovators to cybersecurity providers and investors. Our recent work includes advising foreign and state-owned enterprises on supply and procurement contracts, representing companies in cross-border disputes, supporting acquisitions of defence-related business units, and advising on legal issues involving software, AI, and data security. NKF’s lawyers have also acted as arbitrators in complex disputes between international defence contractors and state-affiliated entities.
With a proven track record and a deep understanding of this demanding sector, NKF delivers strategic, tailored solutions that help clients achieve their objectives with confidence in a fast-evolving global landscape.
Experience:
- Advising RUAG on compliance and governance issues as well as data protection matters
- Advising a foreign company on the cross-border brokerage of drones from Switzerland
- Representing a company in proceedings against two foreign state-owned companies in connection with the order/delivery of armored vehicles
- Arbitrator in proceedings between a European state-owned company and a leading defense contractor concerning the delivery of aircraft parts
- Representing an English company in proceedings against a leading French defense contractor in connection with the delivery of submarines
- Participation in various proceedings between a European company and various foreign state-owned companies concerning the delivery of communication security systems
- Advising US VCs on investments in companies manufacturing drones and developing operating systems for drones
- Advising aerospace companies on contractual matters related to spacecrafts and components for the defence sector
- Advising provider of cybersecurity systems for space industry on corporate and contractual matters
- Advising sellers on the sale of leading provider of embedded solutions for defence mission-critical computing applications