A record 117 transactions in the first half of 2026 confirm that institutional appetite for UK defence and national security businesses has never been greater – with sovereign IP, proven government relationships and UK-based manufacturing commanding significant strategic premiums. UK defence mergers and acquisitions have hit a record pace in the first half of 2026, with 84 trade transactions and 33 financial transactions recorded in H1 alone, according to new data from Heligan Group’s mid-year defence M&A report. The figures represent the strongest opening half-year performance the sector has seen and confirm a trend that has been building since the…
