Carlyle Launches Platform for Aerospace, Defense and Industrial Investments

Carlyle is deepening its push into defense and industrials with a new dedicated middle-market platform spanning the U.S. and Europe, expanding its long-standing aerospace, defense & government and industrial investing franchises. The move is designed to capitalize on rising demand for defense and industrial resilience across Western markets.

The platform will be chaired by Ian Fujiyama, a 28-year Carlyle veteran and Global Head of Aerospace, Defense & Government. Day-to-day leadership will come from Aaron Hurwitz, who leads Carlyle’s defense investments, and Wes Bieligk, a partner on the firm’s industrials team.

“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,” Fujiyama said. “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.”

In a further signal of its ambitions, Carlyle has appointed General Bryan Fenton (Ret.), former Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, as an operating executive. General Fenton will support strategic sourcing, evaluate investment opportunities, and engage with management teams and stakeholders across the defense ecosystem.

“We believe the opportunity set across defense and industrial resilience is significant and growing,” Hurwitz and Bieligk said in a joint statement. “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.”

Carlyle has invested in aerospace, defense, government and industrial assets for more than 35 years, with past investments including Booz Allen Hamilton, StandardAero, Two Six Technologies, Loc Performance, Allison Transmission and Axalta.