Why It Matters

Intersoft Electronics Inc., a Naples, Florida-based subsidiary of Belgian defense technology firm Intersoft Electronics Group, has reactivated its federal lobbying presence after a roughly 18-month hiatus. The company, which specializes in radar systems, air surveillance technology, and communication, navigation, and surveillance equipment, is navigating an increasingly complex environment. That includes foreign ownership scrutiny following a majority stake acquisition by a French private equity firm, active pursuit of U.S. military contracts, and regulatory exposure under U.S. export control law. The Intersoft Electronics lobbying registration amendment, signed May 6, 2026, adds lobbyist Sara Peters to the account alongside returning lobbyist Mike Friedberg, both of Holland & Knight LLP.

By the Numbers

The lobbying disclosure filing (2102290) lists no lobbying fees for the current registration amendment period. The only disclosed spending on record for this client dates to the second quarter 2024 report, when Holland & Knight billed $20,000 for work on Intersoft Electronics' behalf. That brings total disclosed lobbying spending for the client to $20,000 across all filings. The lobbying team consists of two registered lobbyists:

  • Sara Peters, newly added to the account, brings more than six years of congressional staff experience. She served as legislative counsel in the office of Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) and later as counsel and budget director for the House Appropriations Committee during the 118th Congress.
  • Mike Friedberg, who has been on the account since the original 2024 registration, previously served as staff director of the Railroads Subcommittee on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and held a staff assistant role on the House Appropriations Committee.

Both lobbyists bring direct appropriations experience, which is relevant given the company's interest in federal defense and aviation funding.

The Agenda

The current registration amendment lists no specific lobbying issues. When the firm was previously active on this account in the second quarter of 2024, Holland & Knight disclosed lobbying on two topics, namely support for the use of small unmanned aircraft systems for communication, navigation, and surveillance systems, and fiscal year 2025 appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration. The earlier filing also referenced H.R. 9028, the FAA fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill.

Broader Context

In July 2024, Intersoft Electronics Inc. announced a cooperation agreement with TSS Solutions of Melbourne, Florida, targeting U.S. military contracts in two areas, specifically the Service Life Extension Programs for air surveillance radar systems, as well as counter-unmanned aerial systems, commonly known as anti-drone technology. The agreement was announced at the Farnborough Airshow.

Then, in June 2025, French private equity firm IDI acquired a majority stake in Intersoft Electronics Group, the Belgian parent company, through a secondary leveraged buyout. That ownership change carries potential implications for the U.S. subsidiary's ability to pursue American defense contracts, given federal restrictions on foreign ownership of defense contractors and the requirements of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, known as ITAR.

Adding further complexity, Intersoft Electronics Group joined the EU's "ePerfect" initiative in January 2026, an effort to build an ITAR-free supply chain for advanced RF-CMOS technology. The parent company has also entered into a partnership to expand European production of battlefield-proven defense technologies, including coordination with Ukrainian defense technology producers, which adds additional export control considerations.

Between the Lines

Members on both sides of the aisle have weighed in on topics that touch the company's business, including Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL-9) on tariffs affecting electronics prices, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) on critical minerals for electronics and defense, and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC-5) on electronics supply chain resilience, although none of these communications referenced the company directly.

Competitive Landscape

Holland & Knight represents at least one other client with overlapping interests in the drone and unmanned aircraft space. Skydio Inc., a drone manufacturer, has been represented by the firm for issues including FAA rulemaking on beyond visual line of sight drone operations, and implementation of the Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant program under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. The Skydio lobbying team at Holland & Knight includes lobbyist Joel Roberson, who was also listed on the original 2024 Intersoft Electronics registration before the account was terminated.

The Bottom Line

Intersoft Electronics is re-engaging Washington after stepping back in late 2024. The congressional lobbying activity surrounding this account remains limited in scope, and the current filing discloses no specific issues. The addition of Sara Peters, with her House Appropriations Committee background, alongside Friedberg's transportation infrastructure experience, suggests the company is positioning itself to engage on defense and aviation funding matters. The foreign ownership change and the Intersoft Electronic's simultaneous pursuit of U.S. military contracts and ITAR-free European supply chains create a regulatory environment for the company where federal engagement may carry practical stakes.

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