Aerospace and defense giant Airbus has agreed to acquire British cybersecurity company Ultra Cyber, a strategic move to bolster its European cyber defense capabilities.
The Maidenhead-based company, which employs more than 200 people, will be bought for an undisclosed sum from private equity firm Advent International. Ultra Cyber is currently part of Advent's Cobham Ultra defense business.
Airbus hopes the deal, which will end in the second half of 2026, will strengthen its position as a “sovereign and trusted partner to the UK and key supplier to its allies”.
The acquisition will also strengthen its cybersecurity presence across Europe, complementing existing operations in Newport, Wales.
The acquisition follows Airbus' purchase of German cybersecurity company Infodas in 2024.
Ultra Cyber was originally part of former FTSE 250 company Ultra Electronics, which was bought by defense firm Cobham for £2.6bn in 2021, a year after Advent bought Cobham.
Last year, Advent agreed to buy Ultra Precision Control Systems from US firm Eaton and Bloomberg reported earlier this month that the private equity firm is also looking to sell its Ultra Maritime business after recent conflicts fueled demand.
Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defense and Space, said: “This acquisition demonstrates our long-term commitment to the UK as a core domestic market.
“By bringing together our expertise with Ultra Cyber’s unique capabilities, we act as a trusted, long-term partner to the UK MoD.
“We are building the sovereign and resilient infrastructure needed to help keep the UK and its allies ahead in the cyber space.”
Shonnel Malani, Managing Partner of Advent and Chairman of the Board of Ultra Electronics, said: “During what has been a time of great geopolitical tension and uncertainty, we are proud that the investments made in Ultra Cyber, under Advent ownership, have supported efforts to help protect the country and its allies from electronic warfare, and have contributed to strengthening the UK's sovereign capabilities.”
