Airbus continues to strengthen sovereign cyber security with acquisition of Ultra Cyber Ltd in the UK

Airbus has entered into a definitive agreement with the Cobham Ultra group, a portfolio company of Advent, for the acquisition of Ultra Cyber Ltd. This strategic move reinforces Airbus’ position as a trusted, sovereign partner for the UK and a key supplier to its allies, while strengthening its presence in the European cybersecurity landscape. The acquisition allows Airbus to enhance 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, primarily based in its state-of-the-art cyber centre of excellence in Maidenhead, Airbus 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. This acquisition will join the growing Cyber activities within Airbus Defence and Space’s Connected Intelligence business unit and creates a scale UK sovereign cyber champion. 

This investment is a cornerstone of Airbus’ strategy to become a leading European multi-sovereign cyber player and a key pillar of a European digital shield. This approach helps ensure that nations across the continent, as well as Five-Eyes and NATO partners, can rely on access to best-in-class technologies that are trusted and endorsed by the governments of the group’s home nations.   

This move follows the successful acquisition of infodas in 2024, which strengthened Airbus’ cybersecurity leadership in Germany and the EU for cross-domain solutions. Today, Airbus operates a truly pan-European cyber activity with employees across the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Finland.

The acquisition also includes a specialised airborne datalinks capability that complements Airbus’ military aircraft portfolio. This addition helps strengthen Airbus’ ability to protect sensitive data seamlessly across both ground and airborne environments.

"This acquisition testifies to our long-term commitment to the UK as a core home market," said Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space. "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 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.” 

Juliette Wilcox CMG, President of Ultra I&C UK Cyber, added: “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 help accelerate innovation, deepen R&D, and expand delivery of advanced cyber solutions in the UK and internationally.” 

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