Trident Maritime Systems Divests UK Subsidiary AGI to DC Capital Partners

Trident Maritime Systems, a leading maritime systems provider and portfolio company of investment affiliates of J.F. Lehman & Company, has completed the divestiture of Trident Maritime Systems UK Limited and its subsidiaries, including Aeronautical & General Instruments Limited (AGI), to private equity firm DC Capital Partners. This strategic move represents a significant realignment in the naval systems sector, with implications for both companies' market focus and growth trajectories.

The transaction involves AGI, a century-old company founded in 1915 that specializes in highly engineered electronic systems supporting landing, navigation, communications and other mission-critical naval applications. AGI has established a strong legacy of technical expertise and maintains an excellent reputation for providing naval solutions to U.S., U.K. and Allied naval fleets worldwide. The company's long-standing presence in the defense sector makes this ownership change particularly noteworthy for global naval operations.

Joe Mullen, Chief Executive Officer of Trident, emphasized the strategic rationale behind the divestiture, stating that it will allow Trident to sharpen its focus on delivering for core U.S. customers as the company looks to support the U.S. Navy's robust shipbuilding and sustainment plans. This move signals Trident's commitment to aligning its resources with the growing demands of the U.S. naval market, which is experiencing significant expansion in both new construction and maintenance programs.

David Hyde, CEO of AGI, expressed optimism about the transition, noting the tremendous success achieved under J.F. Lehman & Company and Trident ownership while looking forward to partnering with DC Capital to seize new opportunities and shape an even brighter future. This sentiment suggests confidence in DC Capital's ability to leverage its specialized focus on middle market government and engineering companies to drive AGI's continued growth and innovation.

The transaction involved KippsDeSanto & Co. serving as financial advisor to Trident, with Jones Day providing legal counsel, indicating the complexity and significance of the deal structure. Trident Maritime Systems, headquartered in Arlington, VA, remains a comprehensive systems and solutions provider to government and commercial shipbuilders and ship operators globally, maintaining operating locations strategically positioned near major naval and commercial shipbuilders across the U.S. and internationally.

J.F. Lehman & Company, the private equity firm behind Trident, focuses exclusively on investing in the aerospace, defense, maritime, government and environmental industries, with additional information available at http://www.jflpartners.com. This specialized investment approach underscores the strategic nature of the divestiture within the broader defense and maritime investment landscape.

This ownership transition matters because it reflects ongoing consolidation and specialization within the defense contracting sector, particularly in naval systems where technological expertise and market focus are critical competitive advantages. For the industry, the deal demonstrates how private equity firms are actively shaping the defense landscape by acquiring specialized companies with established government contracts and technical capabilities. For naval customers worldwide, the transaction could lead to enhanced innovation and service as both Trident and AGI pursue more focused growth strategies under their respective ownership structures.