Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) today 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 & 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 Ian Fujiyama, Chairman of the platform and Global Head of Aerospace, Defense & Government at Carlyle. “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 Aaron Hurwitz and Wes 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 Bryan 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.”
Carlyle has invested across the Aerospace, Defense, Government and Industrial sectors for more than 35 years, including investments such as Booz Allen Hamilton, StandardAero, Two Six Technologies, Loc Performance, Allison Transmission, and Axalta. The firm leverages its extensive operating executive network, government affairs expertise, and broader value creation capabilities to support portfolio company growth and operational transformation.
About Carlyle
Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Carlyle AlpInvest. With $475 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2026, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies, and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,500 people in 28 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.
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