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The aerospace and defence sectors are at the forefront of technological innovation, international commerce and national security. At CMS, we provide comprehensive legal counsel to clients operating in these industries, whether they are established market leaders or emerging innovators.

We bring together a multidisciplinary team of legal professionals with deep experience in regulatory compliance, government contracts, international trade, litigation, intellectual property and corporate transactions. We help clients navigate the complexities of export controls, defence contracting, cybersecurity requirements and evolving international laws.

With years of advising aircraft manufacturers, defence contractors, suppliers and government agencies, our legal team understands the legal challenges specific to the aerospace and defence industries. We provide proactive solutions, guiding our clients through critical decisions and helping them mitigate risks in a rapidly changing global environment.

If you require legal support in any CMS jurisdiction, please get in touch with our key contacts, so they can connect you with relevant CMS experts in your country.

Serving your needs

We work across practice areas to provide our clients with the full range of legal capabilities necessary to achieve successful outcomes in aerospace and defence transactions.

 

Regulatory

  • Antitrust and competition 
  • Aviation 
  • Artificial intelligence 
  • Communications licensing 
  • Life sciences 
  • Privacy and cybersecurity 
  • Procurement

Finance

  • Asset finance 
  • Project finance 
  • Lease finance 
  • Private equity and venture capital 
  • Debt and equity financing 
  • Trademarks and brands

Commercial and Corporate

  • Space industry contracts 
  • Satellite purchase agreements 
  • Launch services agreements 
  • Due diligence 
  • Corporate governance 
  • Space insurance and risk management

Intellectual Property

Patents Trademarks and brands

International Sanctions & Anti-bribery

What sets CMS apart

We are one of the largest law firms in Europe. Our presence in 47 jurisdictions offers unmatched expertise in navigating the complexities of this cutting-edge industry. Our global team experts provide strategic advice to aerospace manufacturers, defence contractors and government agencies, guiding them through compliance challenges, managing high-profile litigation and negotiating critical contracts. CMS is dedicated to securing your interests while driving innovation and growth. Trust us to be your partner in overcoming the legal challenges in the aerospace and defence sectors, ensuring that you will always stay one step ahead in a competitive market.

Publication
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1.6 MB

CMS Aerospace and Defence Capability Statement

View local insights on aerospace & defence

Highlighted experience

  • Aerospace

    European aerospace manufacturer

    on a joint venture to develop launchers for space vehicles and satellites in Europe.

  • Satellite

    Multinational technology company

    on delivery of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite system including identifying and mitigating existing regulatory barriers and obtaining approvals from multiple international regulators in the Czech Republic.

  • Defence Contractors

    US aerospace manufacturer

    on applying for Ukrainian licenses for radio frequencies for the onboard operation of cell phones, TV and radio broadcasting.

  • Defence Contractors

    A major defence contractor

    on the provision of marine services to the UK Royal Navy involving the manning, operation and maintenance of over 100 vessels over a 15- year period via a long-term multi vessel ship-build contract.

  • Aerospace

    French medical equipment manufacturer’s

    family shareholders on the sale of the group that produces precision tooling especially for the aerospace industry.

  • Satellite

    Global provider of satellite communication solutions

    on regulatory and procurement matters in Romania

  • Defence Contractors

    US defence contractor

    on leasing UAVs in Europe.

  • Aerospace

    British aerospace manufacturing company

    on the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme for the UK Ministry of Defence for new air-to-air refuelling aircraft.

  • Satellite

    Global provider of satellite and electronic communications services

    on the global launch of its S-band mobile satellite service (MSS), a constellation of 28 new LEO satellites providing IoT, M2M and data connectivity in Spain.

  • Aerospace

    Service provider for the German armed forces (Bundeswehr)

    on public procurement, budgetary and pricing law regarding the provision of mobility services for a federal body.

  • Defence Contractors

    Aerospace and defence company

    on its entire global trademark portfolio, involving regular filings, brand clearances, oppositions, invalidations and other spin-out dispute work in Europe.

  • Satellite

    Global provider of satellite and electronic communications services

    on competition and merger control issues in the UK.

  • Defence Contractors

    US manufacturer of military radio equipment

    on negotiating and performing offset agreements in Europe.

  • Aerospace

    Norwegian Ministry of defence

    on the delivery of NH 90 helicopters.

  • Satellite

    French satellite operator

    on all CMT aspects of its proposal to the EC Commission to build and operate the Galileo satellite project in the UK.

  • Satellite

    Global provider of satellite and electronic communications services

    on regulatory and corporate matters in the Czech Republic.

  • Defence Contractors

    US arms, defence, information security and technology corporation

    on the largest offset program in the world, for Polish F-16s.

  • Aerospace

    US drone manufacturer and logistics company

    on operational licensing requirements in the UK.

  • Aerospace

    UAE based defence aviation business

    on the acquisition of a minority stake in a Brazilian aviation company and the establishment of a manufacturing facility in the UAE.

  • Defence Contractors

    French defence group

    on defence tenders and offset issues in Europe.

  • Satellite

    British satellite telecommunications company

    on various regulatory compliance issues associated with its IsatPhone, license regulatory matters and compliance with EU sanctions.

  • Aerospace

    German defence technology group

    on establishing a joint venture with an Asian company to develop flight simulation technology and train civilian pilots to use it.

  • Satellite

    Satellite operators

    on ESA and EMSA procurement regulations in the UK.

  • Defence Contractors

    US aerospace manufacturer

    on Poland’s acquisition of F-35 jet fighters.

  • Defence Contractors

    UK Ministry of Defence

    on a project involving the construction and refurbishment of military accommodation, offices, workshops and other similar assets at army garrisons in southern England.

  • Satellite

    US clients

    on Ofcom's satellite filing procedures and the European regulatory framework in the UK.

  • Aerospace

    Manufacturer of aircraft seat actuation

    on cross-border transactions including in the US and Singapore.

  • Defence Contractors

    Multiple defence contractors

    on defence acquisitions and offset programs in Poland.

  • Aerospace

    Norwegian Armed Forces

    on many procurement matters on land, in the air, in space and at sea as well as civilian and international procurement matters including the pre-negotiation of the MoU, MoA and TA with various stakeholders.

  • Aerospace

    Global helicopter leasing company

    on lease renewal and termination negotiations in Europe.

  • Defence Contractors

    Norwegian Ministry of Defence

    on the delivery of NH 90 helicopters.

  • Defence Contractors

    Global defence, aerospace and security group

    on a range of technology and IP related matters, including licensing & collaboration projects, patent and trademark matters, technology procurement, regulatory matters, supply chain matters, and M&A in the UK.

  • Aerospace

    Norwegian Ministry of defence

    on the conversion of the Air Force's main service station at Kjeller from being a part of the state administration to a separate legal entity.

  • Aerospace

    Middle-Eastern airline

    on its engine and aircraft technical contracts.

Events

  • International
    21 Apr 2026

    On the Pulse webinar series 2026 - Spring

Local market knowledge. Global outlook

We provide future-facing legal advice to help your organisation thrive. Combining local market knowledge and a global perspective, and with lawyers in locations worldwide, your organisation benefits from the expertise it needs, even across borders.

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