Deutsche Aircraft Holdings (DAH), the sole owner of the Deutsche Aircraft Group companies, has a new minority investor.

The investment comes from a joint venture between German aerospace company OHB and Swiss investment house AFK Enterprise and will help drive the development of new green aviation technologies including the D328eco, an environmentally friendly version of the Do328 short-haul passenger aircraft manufactured by Deutsche Aircraft. Under the agreement, the investors have the potential to acquire additional ownership up to a majority stake.

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, chief executive 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 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 aim to 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 the 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’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, chief executive of AFK Enterprise.