European aerospace and defence giant Airbus has agreed to acquire UK cybersecurity firm Ultra Cyber, in a move to strengthen its European cyber defence capabilities. The Maidenhead-based company, which employs over 200 staff, will be purchased from private equity firm Advent International for an undisclosed sum. Ultra Cyber currently forms part of Advent’s Cobham Ultra defence business.
The deal is expected to finalise in the second half of 2026. Airbus stated that the acquisition will reinforce its position as a “trusted, sovereign partner for the UK and a key supplier to its allies”, while also complementing its existing cybersecurity operations in Newport, Wales. The purchase follows Airbus’s acquisition of German cybersecurity firm Infodas in 2024.
Ultra Cyber was originally part of former FTSE 250 firm Ultra Electronics, which was bought by defence firm Cobham for £2.6 billion in 2021, a year after Cobham had been acquired by Advent. Advent recently agreed to buy Ultra Precision Control Systems from US firm Eaton and is reportedly looking to sell its Ultra Maritime business amid increased demand following recent conflicts.
Mike Schoellhorn, chief executive of Airbus Defence and Space, said: “This acquisition testifies to our long-term commitment to the UK as a core home market. By joining our expertise with Ultra Cyber’s unique capabilities, we are acting as a long-term, trusted partner to the UK Ministry of Defence. We are building the resilient, sovereign infrastructure required to help keep the UK and its allies ahead in the cyber domain.”
Shonnel Malani, managing partner at Advent and chairman of the board at Ultra Electronics, commented: “During what has been a time of major geopolitical tension and uncertainty, we are proud that the investments made in Ultra Cyber, under Advent’s ownership, have supported efforts to help protect the country and its allies from electronic warfare, and contributed to strengthening the UK’s sovereign capabilities.”
