Pre-close · Aerospace & Defense

Independent Sponsor Cross-Border Structuring in Aerospace & Defense

Securities and M&A counsel for independent sponsors structuring aerospace and defense transactions, from LOI to close to the capital markets that open up afterward.

EV range $15M to $200M EV EBITDA $3M to $30M Audience Buy & Sell-side
The deal context

An independent sponsor closing aerospace and defense transactions in the $15M to $200M EV range has a defined set of moves at the Cross-Border Structuring stage. Most of them are not in a generic M&A textbook.

The typical aerospace and defense platform sits at $15M to $200M EV with EBITDA in the $3M to $30M range. The thesis runs on tier-two or tier-three supplier consolidation with certifications as moat. Foreign LP capital can trigger CFIUS review on the cleanest of deals. Map the cap table early.

The moves

How Cross-Border Structuring actually gets structured.

  1. Map jurisdictional tax exposure with US and foreign counsel before the LOI.

  2. Plan repatriation mechanics if cash is generated offshore.

  3. Address CFIUS review where foreign capital is in the LP base.

  4. Structure for treaty benefits where the operating geographies allow.

  5. In aerospace and defense, layer in ITAR / EAR registration transferred or refiled before close as part of the Cross-Border Structuring workstream.

The common mistake

Treating cross-border deals like US deals with extra steps. Tax, regulatory, and timing assumptions break differently.

Jason's take
"Cross-border deals need three sets of advisors at the table from day one. Bring them."
Jason Powell · Cross-Border Structuring
Capital after close

The deal is one thing. The capital that opens up after close is another.

Refinancing, recaps, growth rounds, and the right strategic conversation eighteen months early are all downstream of relationships that take years to build and minutes to use.

MONTH 18
Senior refi
MONTH 24
Dividend recap
MONTH 36
Growth equity
YEAR 4–5
Strategic exit
WORK WITH JASON

Bring the aerospace and defense deal. Get Cross-Border Structuring done right.

Direct counsel from a securities and M&A attorney with billions in structured transactions, the independent-sponsor-native playbook, and the capital markets network that opens up post-close.