Marlink is folding GRC, the UK company behind defense and government communication networks, into its Government and Defence business under a deal signed Aug. 11 and set to close later this month.
The Hereford-based target brings roughly £35M in annual revenue and 30 communications specialists to Marlink’s Government and Defence unit. Its product line spans rapidly deployable satellite, radio frequency, cloud and IP networking gear, including tactical situational awareness systems. Long-standing operational support agreements with the UK Ministry of Defence and NATO anchor the business, alongside rugged satellite modems and custom defense engineering.
The purchase fits Marlink’s push into European government and critical national infrastructure markets, where geopolitical tension has raised demand for secure connectivity when terrestrial networks fail. It follows the company’s ITC Global buy in May 2021 and Hellenic Radio Services acquisition in October 2022.
The buyer brings in over $800M in annual revenue and employs 1,700 people in more than 30 countries, delivering multi-orbit satellite, cellular, cyber security and IT services.
“This acquisition is an important step in scaling our European government and defence business,” said Marlink chief executive Erik Ceuppens, calling GRC’s UK Ministry of Defence ties and proven expertise central to becoming the partner of choice for governments and critical infrastructure operators across Europe.