Linklaters advises Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG), a global leader in technology and mechanical engineering, and its wholly owned subsidiary HD Advanced Technologies GmbH (HDAT) on forming a joint venture for drone defence with US-based Ondas, Inc. (ONDAS) and Ondas Autonomous Systems (OAS) in Europe.
HEIDELBERG and ONDAS, a leading US-American-Israeli provider of autonomous defence and security systems, are joining forces by creating ONBERG Autonomous Systems (ONBERG), a joint venture (JV) for autonomous drone defence systems. The partners are thus implementing the Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2025 in the presence of Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche to strengthen the European security architecture.
In the long term, ONBERG aims to close the existing market gap in the protection of critical infrastructure in Europe as a one-stop shop for autonomous drone defence systems. The solution portfolio is geared toward the highest requirements of national security, border protection, and the protection of critical infrastructure, and addresses military, civil, and industrial applications. It is based on ONDAS‘s battle-proven systems, which will be gradually supplemented with additional autonomous technologies as well as sensor and communication technologies. ONBERG will use HEIDELBERG‘s existing infrastructure, particularly its site in Brandenburg an der Havel, which is to be expanded into a leading centre of excellence for drone defence and autonomous security systems.
An international Linklaters team co-led by Corporate/M&A Partners Dr Timo Engelhardt (Munich) and Dr Klaus von der Linden(Düsseldorf) advised HEIDELBERG on this landmark transaction. The core team further includes Counsel Kaan GürerKaan Gurer(Düsseldorf) and Managing Associate Tim Dever (New York, both Antitrust and Foreign Direct Investment) as well as Managing Associate Daniel Gloor and Associates Dr Maximilian Huchel (both Munich), Dr Tom Schäfer, and Dr Richard Knaup (both Düsseldorf, all Corporate/M&A).
Where the legal industry reads first.
Enjoyed this article? Get the biggest legal industry updates, deals, appointments, insights and expert interviews in your inbox, free.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.From Legal Desire
Is your firm the one being cited, or the one being skipped?
We ran the test. On several everyday legal questions, software companies are answering and law firms are not. We help firms fix that, and we build the technology behind the practice.
Lawyers and firms: get featured on Legal Desire
Share your deals, lateral moves, firm news and insights with 1M+ monthly readers: founders, law firm partners, general counsel and practising lawyers across the US, UK, EU and GCC.
Get featuredSubmit a press releaseThe advising firms, the named deal team, the value and the parties, with every other announced deal by the same firms and lawyers. Open the deal record
