Airbus to acquire Ultra Cyber in UK defence cyber expansion

Deal strengthens Airbus’s position in Britain’s security ecosystem as it builds a pan-European cyber capability spanning military and critical infrastructure systems

Airbus has agreed to acquire Ultra Cyber from Cobham Ultra Group, in a move that expands its cyber security operations in the UK and adds specialist capabilities linked to defence and secure communications.

The deal, announced on Monday, will see Ultra Cyber integrated into Airbus Defence and Space’s Connected Intelligence division, bringing more than 200 staff – largely based at a cyber centre in Maidenhead – into the group’s existing UK cyber business.

Airbus said the acquisition would strengthen its ability to provide end-to-end cyber services, building on its current operations in Newport, Wales, and expanding what it described as sovereign capabilities in the UK.

The transaction also includes airborne datalinks technology, which Airbus said would complement its military aircraft portfolio and support the secure transmission of sensitive data across both ground and airborne systems.

The move forms part of Airbus’s wider push to expand its cyber security footprint across Europe, following its acquisition of German cyber specialist infodas in 2024. The company now operates cyber teams across the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Finland.

Mike Schoellhorn, chief executive of Airbus Defence and Space, said the agreement reflected a long-term commitment to the UK market. 

“This acquisition testifies to our long-term commitment to the UK as a core home market,” he added. “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 Ultra Electronics, said the business had developed capabilities aimed at protecting national security interests. “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,” he said.

Juliette Wilcox, president of Ultra I&C UK Cyber, said the deal would support further development of advanced cyber systems. “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,” she said.

Completion of the transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and is expected in the second half of 2026.

WATCH: ‘UK exposed by cyber omission in Spring Statement as threats intensify, ISF chief warns‘. Ministers are being urged to divert funding to strengthen cyber resilience after the Spring Statement made no reference to the threat, as tensions in the Middle East and risks linked to Iran prompt fresh warnings to UK organisations.

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_{Main image: Eskenazi Dominique/Airbus}