Linklaters advises Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG on German-Israeli-US drone defence joint venture

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).