Bristow Group acquires Berry Aviation as it shifts further into government services

Bristow Group, the aviation services company behind the UK’s HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter operations, is expanding deeper into defence and government aviation with the $105 million (£79 million) acquisition of Texas-based Berry Aviation, adding specialist defence, ISR and mission support capabilities to its portfolio.

The all-cash transaction, expected to close during the third quarter of 2026, will bring Berry Aviation’s fleet of more than 20 aircraft and long-established relationships with US defence and government customers into Bristow’s Government Services business.

The acquisition comes as Bristow also prepares to exit its offshore energy services business in Norway, further accelerating its move towards higher-margin government contracts.

Berry Aviation provides a broad range of specialised aviation services, with around 72% of its revenue generated from government activities. 

These include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), special mission flying, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), training, mission support and unmanned aerial systems development. The remainder of its business comprises on-demand cargo logistics and aviation supply-chain services.

Its customer base spans several major US defence organisations, including the US Army, US Air Force, US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and US Transportation Command (TRANSCOM). 

Berry also holds a number of specialist operational certifications, including Commercial Airlift Review Board (CARB) approval, Part 135 airdrop authorisation and the ability to operate in GPS-denied environments, capabilities that Bristow said would strengthen its competitiveness for future government programmes.

“This transaction comes at an important time as we are evolving our business mix to include more durable, contracted revenue streams,” said Bristow President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Bradshaw. 

He said Berry’s experience in mission-critical operations and long-standing government relationships would complement Bristow’s existing Government Services business and better position the company to compete for long-duration contracts.

Bristow shifts further into government aviation

The acquisition continues Bristow’s gradual diversification beyond its traditional offshore energy helicopter operations.

Today, the company operates aviation services across offshore energy, search and rescue, medevac, government support, fixed-wing transport and unmanned systems in more than a dozen countries. 

Its fleet of approximately 216 aircraft includes Leonardo AW139 and AW189 helicopters, Sikorsky S-92s, and fixed-wing aircraft, supporting offshore, government, and civil customers.

Following completion of the Berry acquisition and the planned disposal of its Norway offshore energy business, Bristow expects government services to account for about 35% of pro forma revenue, up from 26% in 2025, while offshore energy’s share would decline from 66% to 54%. 

Berry generated approximately $108 million in revenue during 2025, and Bristow expects the acquisition to be immediately accretive to earnings and free cash flow while improving its EBITDA margin profile.

Beyond expanding its government aviation business, the deal also strengthens Bristow’s presence in emerging defence aviation sectors. 

Berry’s expertise in unmanned aerial systems development and lower-cost ISR capabilities is expected to support future military aviation requirements, while its logistics business could also complement Bristow’s ambitions in regional air transport and advanced air mobility as new aircraft technologies mature.

For Bristow, the acquisition marks another step in repositioning the company from a predominantly offshore helicopter operator towards a broader aviation services provider with a growing focus on defence, security and government missions.