Leonardo has signed a contract with Lynwood (Schweiz) AG to acquire 100% of Kopter Group AG (Kopter). This move allows Leonardo to further strengthen its worldwide leadership and position in the rotorcraft sector; leveraging innovation, new capabilities and engineering skills which have been developed by the young, agile Swiss Company.
Kopter’s SH09, a new single-engine helicopter, is a perfect fit for Leonardo’s state-of-the-art product range offering opportunities for future technological developments. The Swiss company’s competencies will boost future developments towards more disruptive technologies, mission capabilities and performances, including innovative hybrid/electrical propulsion solutions. This acquisition will replace the planned investment aimed at the development of a new single-engine helicopter. Within the Helicopter Division of Leonardo, Kopter will act as an autonomous legal entity and competence center working in coordination with Leonardo.
The purchase price, on a cash and debt-free basis, consists of a US$185 million fixed component plus an earn-out mechanism linked to certain milestones over the life of the program, starting from 2022. The closing of the transaction is subject to certain conditions and is expected to take place during the first quarter of 2020.
