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Supporting companies, investors and institutions active in the space and defence sectors. We advise on legal, regulatory, financing and investment matters relating to the establishment, growth and financing of space and defence projects.
Supporting businesses, investors and institutions active in the space and defence sector
Space and defence are increasingly part of the same conversation.
Across Europe, governments are investing more in strategic capabilities, investors are taking a closer look at the sector and businesses are exploring opportunities linked to security, resilience and dual-use technologies.
At the same time, companies face practical questions around corporate structuring, financing, funding eligibility, intellectual property, export controls and regulatory requirements.
Luxembourg has developed a recognised space ecosystem bringing together companies, investors, public institutions and research organisations active across the sector.
Arendt advises companies, investors, fund managers and institutions on the legal, regulatory, tax and business issues arising throughout the lifecycle of space and defence projects.
Why Luxembourg?
Luxembourg has a long-standing track record in the space sector.
Key milestones include the creation of SES in 1985, the launch of Astra 1A in 1988, Luxembourg becoming the 17th Member State of the European Space Agency in 2005 and the launch of the spaceresources.lu initiative in 2016.
Today, Luxembourg offers:
- A stable legal and regulatory framework
- A mature and sophisticated financial centre
- Access to international investors
- A business-friendly environment
- Strong public-private collaboration
- A growing network of companies, institutions and research organisations active in the space sector
For companies looking to establish, expand or invest in Europe, Luxembourg provides an attractive platform for space and defence-related activities.
Key questions facing the sector
As the sector grows, companies and investors are increasingly asking:
- How should a space or defence project be structured?
- Which authorisations or licences are required?
- How can strategic technologies and intellectual property be protected?
- What financing and investment options are available?
- What are the requirements for accessing defence funding programmes?
- How do ESG considerations impact defence-related investments?
- How can companies attract talent, access capital and support long-term growth?
How we can assist
- Company formation and structuring
- Joint ventures and strategic partnerships
- Corporate governance
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Corporate reorganisations
- Investment transactions
- Space activities authorisations
- Satellite operator concessions
- Space resources activities
- Business licences
- Defence-related authorisations and regulatory matters
- Governance and compliance considerations
- EU law, State aid and competition matters
- Fund structuring
- Capital raising
- Financing transactions
- Investment structures
- Private investment projects
- Public funding considerations
Access to defence funding opportunities increasingly requires consideration of ownership structures, control, intellectual property arrangements and export control restrictions.
We assist clients in identifying and assessing these considerations at an early stage.
- Commercial contracts
- Research and development arrangements
- Intellectual property protection
- Technology-related agreements
- Cooperation agreements with public and private stakeholders
- Employment and employee mobility arrangements
- Incentive schemes
- Tax and VAT considerations
- Transfer pricing
We assist clients in dispute prevention, arbitration and dispute resolution matters relating to space and defence activities, including commercial, operational and investment-related disputes.
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Our experts
Błażej Gładysz-Lehmann
Partner
Adrian Aldinger
Partner
Philippe-Emmanuel Partsch
Partner
Philippe Schmit
Partner