On May 27, Carlyle announced an expansion of its Aerospace, Defense & Government and Industrial teams through a dedicated middle-market platform focused on opportunities across the United States and Europe. These efforts enhance Carlyle’s existing capabilities and build on Carlyle’s decades-long history supporting national security, defense modernization, industrial resilience, and supply chain transformation.
Ian Fujiyama, who has been with Carlyle for 28 years and currently serves as global head of aerospace, defense and government, will serve as chairman. The effort will be led by Aaron Hurwitz, who leads Carlyle’s investments in defense, and Wes Bieligk, a partner on Carlyle’s industrials team.
Carlyle also announced that General Bryan Fenton (Ret.), former Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, will join the firm as an operating executive. General Fenton will support Carlyle’s capabilities across the Aerospace, Defense & Government and Industrial teams through strategic sourcing, evaluation of investment opportunities, and engagement with management teams and industry stakeholders across the defense ecosystem.
“Carlyle’s roots in Washington, D.C. and our decades of experience investing across the defense and industrial sectors have given us a differentiated perspective on this market,” said Fujiyama. “We see this initiative as a natural extension of our broader franchise and an opportunity to dedicate capital and expertise to the middle-market segment across the U.S. and Europe.”
“The geopolitical environment and sustained increases in defense spending are creating a multi-decade investment opportunity across defense and industrial infrastructure,” said Admiral James Stavridis, Vice Chairman of Carlyle and former Supreme Allied Commander at NATO. “Governments are prioritizing military modernization, force preparedness, and resilient industrial capacity at a scale that we believe will drive long-term demand for advanced technologies and strategic capabilities.”
“We believe the opportunity set across defense and industrial resilience is significant and growing,” said Hurwitz and Bieligk jointly. “With dedicated, local investment teams across the U.S. and Europe, deep sector expertise, and Carlyle’s resources, we believe we are well positioned to build and scale businesses that are essential to the industrial base.”
General Fenton added: “The national security landscape is evolving rapidly, increasing the need for innovation, resilient supply chains, and operational readiness. Carlyle’s experience, network, and long-term commitment to these sectors position us to support businesses developing mission-critical capabilities.”
Source: Carlyle
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