Defence & Security
We have a long history of assisting clients in the defence industry, and we have built up a significant amount of knowledge and experience in this field. Our lawyers have a deep understanding of the sector and are well equipped to handle the most complex legal challenges.
SANDS in Brief
- One of Norway’s largest business law firms with 220 employees, including 160 lawyers
- Offices in Oslo, Tromsø, Bergen, Trondheim, Tønsberg, Ålesund, and London
- Local presence provides clients with unique geographical and logistical advantages, combined with specialist expertise across all areas of business law
- Twice nominated for “Law Firm of the Year: The Nordics” by The Lawyer
- Strong international growth, climbing significantly in global M&A league tables
- Trusted advisor on international projects across jurisdictions, collaborating with leading law firms on every continent
Strategic legal advice for a rapidly changing security environment
SANDS Defense & Security is a dedicated, crossdisciplinary team advising clients across the defense, aerospace, security and dual-use sectors. We combine deep industry insight with toptier legal expertise to help companies and public authorities navigate complex regulatory, contractual and geopolitical landscapes.
Our lawyers advise on the full life cycle of defense and security projects – from tender and procurement, through contract negotiation and performance, to dispute resolution and crisis management.
What we do
We assist Norwegian and international clients on matters including:
- Structuring and executing tenders, bid strategies, compliance with procurement rules, security of supply and offset arrangements.
- Negotiation, drafting and management of longterm supply, support and maintenance agreements, including government-to-government and multiparty arrangements.
- Export control, sanctions, securityclassified information, foreign direct investment screening, and sectorspecific licensing regimes.
- Protection and transfer of defense related technology, IP strategy, cyber security requirements, and datahandling in secure environments.
- Internal investigations, whistleblowing, regulatory inquiries and highstakes disputes, including arbitration and litigation.
Our approach is businessoriented and pragmatic. We work in close dialogue with technical teams, programme management and inhouse counsel to help you manage risk without slowing down critical operations.
Why clients choose SANDS
- A dedicated Defense & Security team that understands defense programmes, procurement processes and operational realities.
- Strong track record in major disputes, contracts and transactions in regulated sectors.
- Leading expertise in public procurement, EU/EEA law, export control, sanctions and national security legislation.
- From our offices in Norway we assist international primes, suppliers and investors in Nordic and European projects.
- Senior, handson involvement in critical matters.
SANDS German Desk
We are well connected with the German legal industry, including large and medium-sized law firms across Germany. If need for local assistance arises, we connect our clients with a local attorney and assist in the instruction and management of the German legal assistance.
SANDS German Desk advises companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and companies that export to these countries. The group is made up of our German-speaking Norwegian lawyers and three German lawyers.
Let’s talk
If you are interested in discussing:
- Upcoming defense or security tenders
- Contract strategies for longterm programmes
- Export control, sanctions, FDI or securitylaw challenges
- Disputes or potential disputes with public authorities or partners
we would be pleased to connect.
