BY Richard Summerfield
Lockheed Martin Corp announced this week that it had agreed to acquire military and commercial rotary-wing aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft from United Technologies Corporation in a deal worth $9bn. The price of the deal will effectively be reduced to around $7.1bn once the tax benefit resulting from the transaction is taken into account.
The transaction, which is subject to the customary closing conditions including regulatory approval, is expected to be completed in Q4 2015 or Q1 2016. “Sikorsky is a natural fit for Lockheed Martin and complements our broad portfolio of world-class aerospace and defence products and technologies,” said Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin’s chairman, president and chief executive in a statement announcing the deal. “I’m confident this acquisition will help us extend our core business into the growing areas of helicopter production and sustainment. Together, we’ll offer a strong portfolio of helicopter solutions to our global customers and accelerate the pace of innovation and new technology development.”
By completing a deal for Sikorsky, Lockheed - the Pentagon’s largest arms supplier - has secured its position as the world’s largest defence company, overshadowing rivals including the defence business of Boeing Co and Northrop Grumman Corp.
Sikorsky manufactures a range of military helicopters, including the Black Hawk, which is utilised by 25 nations for multi-mission support, and the Seahawk, used in marine operations. The company also makes commercial helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft for surveillance and transport missions.
“Exiting the helicopter business will allow UTC to better focus on providing high-technology systems and services to the aerospace and building industries, and to deliver improved and sustained value to our customers and shareowners,” United Technologies president and chief executive Gregory Hayes said in a separate statement.
In addition to the Sikorsky deal, Lockheed also announced a better than expected 4.5 percent rise in quarterly profit this week. The company also said it could spin off or sell its government IT and technical services businesses going forward.
News: Lockheed to buy Black Hawk maker Sikorsky for $9 billion