Cobham Ultra, an Advent portfolio company, agrees to the sale of Ultra Cyber Ltd to Airbus

London, 23 March 2026 - Cobham Ultra, a portfolio company of Advent, a leading global private investor, today announced that it has entered a definitive agreement to sell Ultra Cyber Ltd to Airbus Defence and Space, an existing trusted, UK sovereign provider of critical cyber capabilities.

The acquisition creates a scale UK sovereign cyber champion and allows Airbus to strengthen its end-to-end cyber portfolio, complementing the existing UK sovereign capabilities of its Cyber business based in Newport, Wales. With more than 200 employees in Ultra Cyber Ltd, Airbus Defence and Space is reinforcing its commitment to the UK as a core home nation of Airbus and its active role in maintaining the UK's digital security.

Under Advent's ownership, Ultra Cyber Ltd has undergone a transformational upgrade of its secure facilities to support next-generation operations, alongside a step-change in programme delivery and performance across the organisation. Backed by investment from Advent, the company has also developed new product capabilities aligned with the UK's export strategy and opened a £30 million cyber centre of excellence in Maidenhead to drive innovation in cutting-edge secure communications technologies.

Shonnel Malani, Managing Partner at Advent and Chair of the Board at Ultra Electronics, said: "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. With the business now well invested and positioned for long-term growth, we believe that Airbus's significant cyber expertise and proven track record as a trusted UK Sovereign provider of critical capabilities, position them well to be the right owner to deliver on this potential."

Mike Schoellhorn, CEO, 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's Ministry of Defence. We are building the resilient, sovereign infrastructure required to help keep the UK and its allies ahead in the cyber domain."

Juliette Wilcox CMG, President of Ultra I&C UK Cyber, said: "This agreement marks an exciting next chapter for Ultra Cyber and a major step forward for the UK's sovereign cyber capability. Together, we will combine complementary strengths to accelerate innovation, deepen R&D, and expand delivery of advanced cyber solutions in the UK and internationally. Our people, Maidenhead Centre of Excellence, and proven track record have been key to Airbus' interest. We are proud of what we've built with Advent's support and confident that, as part of Airbus, we will help unlock new growth, strengthen our capabilities, and deliver even greater impact for the missions we support."

Closing of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected in the second half of 2026.

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*Assets under management (AUM) as of September 30, 2025. AUM includes assets attributable to Advent advisory clients as well as employee and third-party co-investment vehicles.

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