Ultra Cyber: Aerospace giant Airbus buys UK cybersecurity firm

Aerospace and defense giant Airbus has agreed to acquire British cybersecurity company Ultra Cyber, a strategic move to strengthen European cyber defense capabilities.

The Maidenhead-based company, which employs over 200 staff, is to be acquired from private equity firm Advent International for an undisclosed sum. Ultra Cyber ​​currently forms part of Advent’s Cobham Ultra defense business.

Airbus expects the deal, which is set to conclude in the second half of 2026, to strengthen its position as “a reliable, sovereign partner for the UK and a key supplier to its allies”.

This acquisition will also strengthen its cybersecurity presence across Europe, complementing existing operations in Newport, Wales.

This acquisition follows Airbus’ acquisition of German cybersecurity company Infodas in 2024.

Ultra Cyber ​​was originally part of former FTSE 250 firm Ultra Electronics, which was acquired by defense firm Cobham for £2.6bn in 2021, a year after Cobham was acquired by Advent.

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 was also planning to sell its Ultra Maritime business after recent conflicts boosted demand.

Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defense and Space, said: “This acquisition is testament to our long-term commitment to the UK as a core domestic market.

“By combining our expertise with Ultra Cyber’s unique capabilities, we act as a long-term, trusted partner to the UK Ministry of Defence.

“We are building the resilient, sovereign infrastructure needed to help keep the UK and its allies ahead in cyberspace.”

Shonnel Malani, managing partner of Advent and chairman of Ultra Electronics, said: “At a time of great geopolitical tension and uncertainty, we are proud that investments in Advent-owned Ultra Cyber ​​are supporting efforts to help protect the country and its allies from electronic warfare and contributing to strengthening the UK’s sovereign capabilities.”