Overview
- The Financial Times reported on Friday that Lockheed is the leading bidder to buy Ultra Maritime from private‑equity firm Advent International for about $3.5 billion.
- Negotiations are ongoing with no formal agreement and sources said a public announcement could arrive in the week of July 7.
- Ultra Maritime makes torpedo‑ and submarine‑detection buoys and already supplies the U.S. Navy and Britain’s Royal Navy, making the asset strategically sensitive.
- The sale is a competitive auction with multiple bidders still in the running, so a rival could submit a higher offer before the process concludes.
- Any completed transaction would likely face review under the UK National Security and Investment framework and possible U.S. CFIUS scrutiny, and investors will watch how Lockheed would fund the purchase and its effect on buybacks and dividends.