German Firm Renk Agrees to Buy UK Naval Supplier David Brown Defence

German defence company Renk Group agreed to purchase UK naval supplier David Brown Defence from parent firm David Brown Santasalo. Frankfurt-listed Renk Group announced the takeover on Friday. The firms did not disclose the purchase price, though Bloomberg reported the transaction values the business between 200 million dollars and 250 million dollars.

Renk will acquire the West Yorkshire firm from David Brown Santasalo, which is owned by US private equity firm Stellex Capital Management. The deal remains subject to regulatory approvals and is scheduled to complete in the final quarter of 2026.

Renk stated the acquisition adds naval programmes and a long-term order base across UK, Canadian, and Australian naval contracts, including aftermarket work. The company said the purchase will generate significant operational and technological synergies.

Defence, founded in Huddersfield in 1902, manufactures gearboxes and machinery for submarines. The transaction occurs as defence spending rises globally and amid NATO calls for member states to allocate 5% of GDP to defence by 2035.