Lockheed Martin Strikes $3.45 Billion Deal to Acquire Ultra Maritime Amid Global Defense Spending Boom

U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin has announced plans to acquire naval defense specialist Ultra Maritime from private equity firm Advent in a deal valued at $3.45 billion.

The acquisition comes as defense companies worldwide race to strengthen their military technology portfolios amid rising geopolitical tensions and increased government defense spending across major markets.

Once the transaction is completed, Ultra Maritime will be integrated into Lockheed Martin’s Rotary and Mission Systems division, one of the company’s largest business segments. The division generated approximately $17.3 billion in revenue in 2025 and employs around 35,000 people globally.

Rising Global Conflicts Continue to Drive Defense Industry Growth

The deal highlights the growing demand for advanced military technology fueled by ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, alongside increased defense spending commitments from major governments.

The proposed $1.5 trillion U.S. defense budget request for fiscal year 2027 has further accelerated investment activity across the global defense sector, prompting major contractors to expand their technological capabilities through acquisitions and strategic partnerships.

As governments prioritize modernization of naval and underwater defense systems, companies specializing in anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance technologies have become increasingly valuable acquisition targets.

Ultra Maritime’s Undersea Defense Expertise Attracts Lockheed

Ultra Maritime is widely recognized for its expertise in anti-submarine warfare and advanced undersea defense technologies. The company emerged as part of Cobham Ultra after Advent acquired British aerospace company Cobham in 2020 and later merged it with Ultra Electronics following its acquisition in 2022.

The company develops a range of specialized military technologies, including:

• Advanced naval sonar systems
• Underwater surveillance platforms
• Anti-submarine warfare technologies
• Undersea sensing and detection solutions
• Maritime defense and acoustic systems

Lockheed Martin said Ultra Maritime’s international footprint and export-ready technologies will significantly strengthen its existing naval sonar and maritime defense capabilities.

Recent Contracts and Strategic Partnerships Strengthened Ultra Maritime’s Position

Ultra Maritime has secured several high-profile defense projects in recent years, reinforcing its position in the global naval defense market.

Earlier in 2026, the company received a development contract from the United States Navy for an advanced underwater acoustic decoy system designed to protect naval vessels and submarines from incoming torpedoes.

The company has also pursued strategic collaborations aimed at advancing autonomous maritime warfare technologies. In 2025, Ultra Maritime announced partnerships with Anduril Industries to develop autonomous ocean sensing capabilities and with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to advance unmanned airborne anti-submarine warfare systems.

Deal Signals Continued Consolidation Across Global Defense Industry

The acquisition represents another major consolidation move within the global defense industry, as military contractors increasingly seek specialized technologies to meet growing demand for advanced defense systems.

With underwater warfare, autonomous defense platforms, and maritime surveillance becoming strategic priorities for governments worldwide, Lockheed Martin’s acquisition of Ultra Maritime positions the company to strengthen its presence in one of the fastest-growing segments of the defense market.