UK approves £4bn takeover of defence company Cobham

The government has approved a US private equity firm’s takeover of UK defence and aerospace firm Cobham.

Advent International made a £4bn offer to buy Cobham in July and shareholders approved the deal last month.

But Cobham’s founding family had raised concerns about the company’s future and its connections with UK defence.

Business secretary Andrea Leadsom has accepted undertakings from the two firms, including honouring contracts and maintaining continuity of services.

Dorset-based Cobham, which employs 10,000 people, is known for pioneering technology enabling the mid-air refuelling of planes. The firm also makes electronic warfare systems and communications for military vehicles.

• National security fears threaten defence takeover