– This interview was conducted prior to the 28 February conflict in the Middle East.

Bridgepoint, Europe’s fourth-largest private equity firm per the PEI 300, is considering options for how to invest in more defence-related assets as appetites for the strategy grow.

The London-headquartered firm, which is the owner of Private Equity International‘s parent company PEI Group, has completed at least two deals in the European defence space since mid-2024. It is speaking to governments, including those of the UK and France, about how to help grow defence-related companies, according to chief investment officer Xavier Robert.

Raising a dedicated European defence fund is an option the firm is considering, provided there is…