RESTON, Va. — CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) announced on Monday, Dec. 22, that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ARKA Group L.P. from Blackstone Tactical Opportunities in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.6 billion. The deal is designed to accelerate CACI’s expansion into the space-based sensing and actionable intelligence markets.
The acquisition integrates ARKA’s portfolio of space-based sensor technology and ground-based software processing with CACI’s existing national security offerings. ARKA, headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut, supports Intelligence Community and Department of Defense missions through optical technologies and analytics. In 2024, ARKA completed a major expansion of its Danbury manufacturing facility to increase production of small satellite payloads and optical coatings, a move that positioned the company to support proliferated low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations.
CACI expects the transaction to close in the third quarter of its fiscal year 2026, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The company anticipates a tax benefit with a present value of approximately $225 million as part of the transaction structure.
Strategic Rationale The deal represents a significant push by CACI into hardware-centric space missions. While CACI has previously demonstrated capabilities in laser communications and inter-satellite links, the addition of ARKA provides direct access to optical instrumentation and sensor payloads used by the U.S. Space Force and intelligence agencies.
“The acquisition of ARKA represents a significant step forward in our space strategy,” said John Mengucci, CACI President and CEO. “They bring deep experience and proven performance as a best-in-class provider of national security space and defense capabilities… CACI and ARKA address complex mission requirements and deliver future-ready solutions at the speed and scale required to expand the limits of national security.”
Andreas Nonnenmacher, President and CEO of ARKA, stated that the combination would benefit customers immediately. “Our aligned mission-focused cultures and deep engineering roots create a strong foundation for future innovation and growth,” Nonnenmacher said.
Timeline Following the closing of the deal, expected in early 2026, ARKA will operate as part of CACI’s national security portfolio. Wells Fargo and Gibson Dunn served as advisors to CACI, while J.P. Morgan Securities, Evercore, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett advised ARKA.