Trident Maritime Systems Divests UK Subsidiary AGI to DC Capital Partners

Trident Maritime Systems, a leading maritime systems provider owned by 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 transaction represents a significant realignment in the naval systems sector, with implications for both companies' market focus and growth trajectories.

The divestiture enables Trident to concentrate resources on serving its core U.S. customer base, particularly as the U.S. Navy pursues ambitious shipbuilding and sustainment initiatives. Joe Mullen, Chief Executive Officer of Trident, emphasized that this move will allow the company to "sharpen our focus on delivering for our core U.S. customers as we look to support the U.S. Navy's robust shipbuilding and sustainment plans." This strategic shift comes at a critical time when naval modernization programs are accelerating globally.

AGI brings substantial value to its new owner as a premier provider of highly engineered electronic systems supporting landing, navigation, communications and other mission-critical naval applications. With a legacy dating back to 1915, AGI has established itself as a trusted supplier to U.S., U.K. and allied naval fleets worldwide. The company's technical expertise and reputation for excellence in naval solutions made it an attractive acquisition target for DC Capital, which specializes in middle market government and engineering companies.

David Hyde, CEO of AGI, expressed optimism about the transition, stating, "Together with JFLCO and Trident, we have achieved tremendous success, and we now look forward to partnering with DC Capital to seize new opportunities and shape an even brighter future." This change in ownership structure could potentially accelerate AGI's growth by leveraging DC Capital's specialized focus and resources in the government contracting sector.

The transaction's importance extends beyond the immediate corporate restructuring. It reflects broader trends in the defense industry where companies are streamlining operations to better align with specific market opportunities and customer requirements. For the global naval sector, this divestiture ensures continued specialized support for critical systems while potentially introducing new investment and innovation under DC Capital's stewardship. KippsDeSanto & Co. served as financial advisor to Trident on the transaction, with Jones Day providing legal counsel. J.F. Lehman & Company, the private equity firm behind Trident, maintains its focus on aerospace, defense, maritime, government and environmental investments through its offices in New York and Washington, D.C. as detailed on their website at https://www.jflpartners.com.

This strategic realignment occurs against the backdrop of increasing global naval modernization efforts and heightened focus on maritime security. The separation allows both entities to pursue more targeted growth strategies—Trident concentrating on the substantial U.S. naval market while AGI gains access to specialized private equity backing that could enhance its competitive positioning in international markets. The transaction demonstrates how private equity ownership continues to shape the defense industrial base through strategic portfolio management and focused investment approaches.