OHB SE and AFK Enterprise agree to acquire stake in Deutsche Aircraft Holdings: focus on climate-neutral flying!
Strategic partnership for sustainable aviation .
Dubai - OHB and AFK’s joint company DAH Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH on Thursday, December 8th, signed an agreement to secure an important minority equity investment in DeutscheAircraft Holdings (DAH), the sole owner of Deutsche Aircraft Group companies. The investment comes from a joint venture between aerospace company OHB SE and investment company AFK Enterprise AG and will propel development of new green aviation technologies including the D328eco®, an environmentally friendly version of the acclaimed Do328 short-haul passenger aircraft manufactured by Deutsche Aircraft GmbH. Under the agreement, the investors have the potential to acquire additional ownership up to a majority at a later point in time.
The partnership fuels progress on the D328eco and Leipzig production facilities, as well as opens opportunities for development of future aircraft variants in new international markets.
Dave Jackson, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft said: “This investment reaffirms both the strong market need for a proven regional aircraft and underpins the belief in the green aviation sector, in particular the opportunities Deutsche Aircraft’s new D328eco aircraft will offer.”
Deutsche Aircraft’s D328 series of aircraft is founded on the proud heritage of Dornier and Deutsche Aircraft is the holder of the Do328® type certificate. With new propulsion systems, latest-generation avionics and more seats, the D328eco will set new standards for environmentally friendly short-haul flying. Deutsche Aircraft is also studying a variety alternative fuel and future climate-neutral propulsion systems as part of its product roadmap. The Do328 is the last commercial aircraft to date to have been developed and built entirely in-house by a German company - and this will also be the case with the D328eco.
The equity stake in DAH is subject to approval from the German Government which is currently supporting development of the D328eco with a high-volume development cost loan and in addition, supports development of clean aviation initiatives at Deutsche Aircraft. The transaction is anticipated to close during the first quarter of 2023 following regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
“With this investment we are significantly strengthening our Aerospace business segment,” said Dr. Lutz Bertling, member of OHB SE’s management board. “Beyond the current project, OHB intends to develop with its partners strategically more joint business in Europe, the United States and Middle East, including beyond aviation, with first projects already under discussion in the defence and space sectors.”
“For us, this investment is another important step in diversifying our portfolio into mobility with environmentally friendly drives,” said Dr. Berthold Peikert, CEO AFK Enterprise AG.
About AFK Enterprise
AFK Enterprise AG, based in Switzerland, the industrial arm of the AFK Kumar Family Office, operates as a private owned single-family office mandated with the preservation, management and growth of the AFK Kumar family’s wealth and assets. AFK makes strategic investments across a wide range of markets, focused on equity and growth capital. With the international outlook towards investment, AFK actively pursues and engages in abroad variety of investment opportunities in high-tech in Europe, US, Middle East, India, Asia as well as in emerging markets.
About OHB SE
OHB SE is a German space and technology group and one of the leading independent forces in the European space industry. With many years of experience in the implementation of demanding projects, OHB SE is excellently positioned to face international competition and can offer its customers a broad portfolio of innovative products in its three business units: Space Systems, Aerospace and Digital. The company employs around 3,000 people and generates a total revenue of around one billion euros.
About Deutsche Aircraft GmbH
Deutsche Aircraft is Germany’s new purpose-driven OEM. Founded on the heritage of aircraft pioneers, DeutscheAircraft’s new D328eco™ aircraft is being developed to deliver significant improvements in operational and maintenance costs as well as reductions in the overall carbon footprint. This is in line with its vision and strategic roadmap to support a more sustainable future for aviation. The D328eco will offer maximum flexibility being able to operate on existing aviation fuel, as well as compatible with 100% H2-PtL. The aircraft will be assembled in the paperless Final Production Line (FAL) at Leipzig/Germany. All parameters are in high demand in the current aviation environment, and we already see an increased interest in the D328eco from our potential customers and partners.www.deutscheaircraft.com
