Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advises Rheinmetall on the acquisition of NVL, the naval division of Lürssen. The Düsseldorf-based technology group has reached an agreement with the long-established shipyard group on the key terms for acquiring its military division. The parties intend to formally complete the transaction soon. Subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities, closing is targeted for early 2026.
The acquisition of NVL, headquartered in Bremen-Vegesack, is of strategic importance to Rheinmetall: the group is expanding its portfolio to include naval shipbuilding and will become a full-service naval systems provider. With this transaction, Rheinmetall strengthens its position as a leading supplier of defense technology in Germany and Europe.
NVL comprises four shipyards in northern Germany (Peene-Werft in Wolgast, Blohm+Voss and Norderwerft in Hamburg, and Neue Jadewerft in Wilhelmshaven) as well as international facilities. The company employs around 2,100 people worldwide and generated revenues of approximately €1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Since its founding around 150 years ago, NVL has built around 1,000 ships at its shipyards for more than 50 different navies and coast guards.
Advisors to Rheinmetall AG:
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Düsseldorf/Frankfurt: Dr Soenke Becker, Dr Christian Johnen (both lead), Dr Nikita Tkatchenko, Dr Michael Glaesner, Dr Sebastian Schuerer (both Counsel; all Corporate/M&A), Thies Deike (Counsel, IT), Dr Marcel Nuys, Dr Florian Huerkamp (Counsel; both Competition), Dr Marius Boewe (Regulatory), Dr Steffen Hoerner (Tax), Moritz Kunz, Anja Lingscheid (Counsel; both Employment), Dr Fritz Kleweta (Finance), Thorsten Matthies (Disputes Resolution), Stefanie Herkert, Hannes Riedel (Counsel; both Real Estate); Associates: Soeren Flecks, Marjel Dema, Justus Pauls, Tobias Beuker, Nastasja Buehrmann, Franciska Meier, Lena Tubes (all Corporate/M&A), Anne Eckenroth, Mirko Gleitsmann, Dr Lennard Posser (all Competition), Dr Dejan Einfeldt, David Rasche (both Regulatory), Tatiana Guenster, Eva Juergens, Dirk Metzler (all Tax), Dr Simone Ziegler, Julia Ickstadt, Matthias Joschko (all Employment), Marc Soltau, Florian Moeller (both Finance), Lewin Klusmann (Dispute Resolution), Dogan Urun (Real Estate)
Riyadh: Mohammed Al Eshaikh, Associates: Ghadah Alnafea, Abigail Westby (all Corporate)
Dubai: Chris Walters (Corporate)
Singapore (Prolegis LLC): Victor Chiew, Associate: Kenji Lee (both Corporate)
Sydney: Stephen Dobbs (Corporate), Patrick Gay, Graduate: Michael Cimino (Competition, Regulation & Trade)
Melbourne: Alexander Mackinnon, Solicitor: Yash Ghangas, Associates: Jessica Voong (all Corporate), Tom Allen (Competition, Regulation & Trade)