Der russische Angriffskrieg auf die Ukraine hat eine regelrechte Aufbruchsstimmung in der europäischen Sicherheits- und Verteidigungsindustrie (SVI) ausgelöst: Die Nachfrage nach militärischen Gütern, Dienstleistungen und Innovationen ist rasant gestiegen, und auch private Investoren richten ihren Blick verstärkt auf Unternehmen in diesem Sektor (siehe hier).

In dieser Ausgabe unserer Briefingreihe werfen wir einen genaueren Blick auf die regulatorischen Fallstricke, die bei der Beschaffung von Finanzmitteln lauern. Ein brandaktuelles Thema, das insbesondere für Start-ups und KMU angesichts der „Zeitenwende“ und eines zunehmend positiven Geschäftsklimas von Bedeutung ist. Erfahren Sie, wie Sie trotz der Vielzahl an nationalen und europäischen Vorgaben sicher durch den Regulierungsdschungel navigieren können.

Government-to-government (G2G) contracts represent a popular tool among EU Member States to procure defence equipment and other sensitive goods as well as related works and services, such as capacity training or maintenance and logistical support. In particular, many EU countries frequently purchase equipment from the US through its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Intra-EU defence trade is also common, with France and Germany being the Union's two largest sellers of defence and security goods and services. While such G2G contracts hold many advantages from a security policy point of view, they may negatively affect competition in the defence and security market for private operators. Nevertheless, such G2G transactions can be exempted from compliance with EU public procurement law.

In this second edition of BLOMSTEIN’s International Investment Law (IIL) briefing series, we look at how the EU’s sanctions against Russia are affecting existing investments in Russia and investment arbitrations against the Russian state. Meanwhile, our next briefing will look at the impact of Russia’s countersanctions on investors and their prospects for redress under IIL.

After many years in the shadows, the European defence industry has returned to the political agenda since Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. One of the ways to strengthen the domestic industry is to favour EU companies in defence procurement by EU Member States. A recent decision by the European Court of Justice has paved the way – with significant consequences for non-EU defence companies.

A recent decision brings new life to the question of compensation for unlawful conduct by the German MOD in Defence Procurements. As the German lawmakers decided in February 2022 to reduce the effectivity and the possibilities to seek the prevention of awards by way of single source procurements, competitors were effectively left to claim damages. However, chances of succeeding therein have always been difficult low. A recent ECJ decision might change that.

Wie im Januar angekündigt, veröffentlicht BLOMSTEIN eine Briefingreihe, die in europäische und deutsche Rechtsfragen für den Sicherheits- und Verteidigungssektor einführen. In unserem letzten Briefing haben wir einen Überblick über neue Finanzierungsmöglichkeiten gegeben, die von der Europäischen Investitionsbank für die Industrie bereitgestellt werden.

In dieser Ausgabe geht es um verschiedene neue ESG-Pflichten für die Verteidigungs- und Sicherheitsindustrie. Unternehmen aus der Branche treffen eine Vielzahl regulatorischer Pflichten. Seit geraumer Zeit gehören insbesondere auch ESG-Pflichten dazu. Die Schlagzahl der neuen Anforderungen für Unternehmen in diesem Bereich ist hoch. Bereits in der ersten Jahreshälfte kam es zu einigen Neuerungen (vgl. auch unsere entsprechenden ESG-Briefings). In diesem Briefing werden überblicksmäßig die neusten Entwicklungen in Deutschland und auf europäischer Ebene im ESG-Bereich sowie deren Auswirkungen auf die Verteidigungs- und Sicherheitsindustrie beleuchtet.

Wie bereits bei den vorherigen Series-A 2021 und Series-B 2023 Finanzierungsrunden unterstützt BLOMSTEIN das DeepTech-Unternehmen Helsing auch in der EUR 450 Mio. starken Series-C-Finanzierungsrunde. BLOMSTEIN berät zu den investitionskontrollrechtlichen Fragestellungen.

As announced in January, BLOMSTEIN is publishing a series of briefings introducing into European and German legal defence matters. In our last briefing, we gave an overview over EU funding opportunities for defence and security projects and focused specifically on the legal remedies available against grant allocation decisions in the context of EU defence funding.

This edition is on new funding opportunities for the defence and security sector provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The EIB, an institution of the European Union, stands as one of the foremost financiers of climate-related initiatives. Since its inception in 1958, the EIB has extended loans and expert advice to thousands of projects across more than 160 countries. The EIB is dedicated to promoting sectors that significantly enhance growth, employment, regional cohesion, and environmental sustainability within Europe and globally. Recognizing the increasing importance of security in Europe, the EIB has revised its statutes this year to explicitly incorporate security-related activities within the scope of its financing capabilities.

As announced in January, BLOMSTEIN is publishing a series of briefings introducing into European and German legal defence matters. In our last briefing, we gave an overview over the legal framework for joint procurements in the fields of defence and security.

This edition EU funding opportunities for defence and security projects and focuses specifically on the legal remedies available against grant allocation decisions in the context of EU defence funding.

As announced in January, BLOMSTEIN is publishing a series of briefings introducing into European and German legal defence matters. In our last briefing, we have provided some insight into the regulatory framework for the defence industry to produce and sell from the EU.

The cooperation of EU Member States regarding defence and security policy and activities ranks high on the European Union’s agenda. This includes EU Member States’ joint procurement of military and sensitive equipment within the meaning of Directive 2009/81 on procurements in the fields of defence and security. Advantages of such joint procurements to national procedures are manifold, including cost reductions through scale economies, facilitated in-use collaboration due to increased interoperability of material and a strengthening of allies.

This briefing gives an overview over the legal framework of such joint procurements. In practice, EU Member States assign the task of procuring equipment from suppliers (mainly private companies) to a single entity (Executive Entity), which, in turn, conducts the procurement for (the benefit of) all participating EU Member States. Candidates for the role as Executive Entity are, firstly, states – participating EU Member States or third countries – acting as a “lead nation”. However, multinational institutions such as the European Defence Agency (EDA), NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) or Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en Matière d’Armement (OCCAR) can also take on this role.