Skip to content
You can now search across every topic, entity and event.What's new
Cobham
OrganisationGB

Cobham

UK defence and technology group; divesting Ultra Cyber, its MoD-cleared cryptography subsidiary, to Airbus.

Cobham is a UK defence and technology group. On 30 April, Airbus agreed to buy its Ultra Cyber subsidiary, which holds secret-level clearances for Ministry of Defence programmes.

Last refreshed: 24 August 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Does Cobham's sale of Ultra Cyber repeat the pattern that made its own Advent acquisition controversial in 2020?

Timeline for Cobham

#174 12 Aug

Mentioned in: A $60,764 lesson in subsidiary risk

Iran Conflict 2026
#2 30 Apr

Divested Ultra Cyber via definitive agreement with Airbus

Cybersecurity: Threats and Defences: Airbus signs for Ultra Cyber from Cobham
View full timeline →
Follow Cybersecurity: Threats and Defences →

Background

Cobham is a UK defence and aerospace technology group with activities in electronic warfare, aviation systems and communications technology. Advent International took the company private in 2020. Under that ownership, Cobham has pursued a portfolio strategy that concentrates on core avionics and electronic-warfare capabilities.

Ultra Cyber is Cobham's most strategically sensitive holding by classification level. It carries UK Government-cleared cryptography and data-security work for Ministry of Defence programmes. Airbus's proposed acquisition places the holding under European control, subject to the UK Government's National Security and Investment Act powers. No outcome for that review has been established.

Common Questions
Who owns Cobham and why is it selling Ultra Cyber?
Cobham has been owned by US private equity firm Advent International since 2020. The sale of Ultra Cyber to Airbus is part of a portfolio rationalisation that concentrates Cobham on its core avionics and electronic-warfare businesses.
Was Cobham's acquisition by Advent International a national security issue?
The 2020 Advent International acquisition of Cobham attracted UK Government scrutiny under Public Interest Intervention provisions before clearing. It was among the first major UK defence transactions reviewed under the pre-NSIA framework, establishing the precedent that private equity acquisition of a UK defence supplier warranted ministerial review.
What businesses does Cobham still own after selling Ultra Cyber?
Cobham retains its core avionics, electronic warfare, and aviation systems businesses. Ultra Cyber is one of several portfolio disposals under Advent ownership as Cobham concentrates on its primary defence-electronics capabilities.
Source Material
Cobham official website