Linklaters advises John Cockerill, a significant supplier of tank turrets for light armored vehicles, firing systems, and simulation, in the context of exclusive negotiations with Volvo Group for the acquisition of Arquus, the principal French supplier of military vehicles.
This potential acquisition contributes to strengthening the cooperation between France and Belgium in a strategic sector. The combined operations of John Cockerill Defense and Arquus aim for an annual turnover of 1 billion euros and a workforce of 2,000 professionals by 2026, with a global presence and major operational bases in Belgium, France, Italy, India, and Saudi Arabia.
The consolidation of these two national flagships will represent an important step in industrial support of the close coordination established for vehicle supply programs between the French and Belgian land forces. It also marks a major milestone in the creation of a European defense champion, uniquely positioned to meet the evolving needs of governments in France, Belgium, Germany, and other partner countries.
The Linklaters team is led by Pierre Tourres , partner in Corporate M&A, Yves Moreau , Corporate/M&A, Partner at the Brussels office, Véra Maramzine, Counsel and Laurine Pryjda, Corporate/M&A Associate, Sonia Cissé, Partner, Faustine Piechaud, Senior Associate in Technology, Commercial and Data Protection, Jean-François Merdrignac, Counsel, Laetitia Nicolazzi Senior Associate in Intellectual Property, Athanase de Guitaut, Associate in Public Law, Cyril Abtan, Partner, Elisabeth Maze Senior Associate and Pierre-Antoine Vassaux Associate in Banking & Finance, Bernd Meyring, Partner, Liliane Gam, Counsel, Sari Corrijn, Associate in Antitrust and Foreign Investments in Brussels, Lionel Vuidard, Partner as well as Cécile Romanin, Senior Associate and Netanel Taid Kashani, Associate in Employment and Incentives.
