VSE’s $2 Billion Investment in Precision Aviation Signals a New Era in the Aviation Aftermarket

VSE Corporation’s agreement to acquire Precision Aviation Group (PAG) for approximately $2.025 billion marks a transformational moment—not just for the company, but for the broader aviation aftermarket industry. The deal positions VSE as a scaled, pure-play aviation aftermarket leader with global reach, expanded technical capabilities, and a clearer path to sustained margin expansion.

Under the terms of the agreement, VSE will acquire PAG from GenNx360 Capital Partners for $1.75 billion in cash and roughly $275 million in equity, with the potential for an additional $125 million earnout tied to PAG’s 2026 performance. Including expected synergies, the transaction values PAG at about 13.5x expected 2025 adjusted EBITDA—an assertive but strategic multiple in a high-margin, mission-critical segment.

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Atlanta, PAG has built a best-in-class platform across aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), parts distribution, and proprietary repair solutions. With 29 locations worldwide, over 1,000 employees, and more than 175,000 repairs completed annually, PAG serves commercial aviation, business and general aviation, rotorcraft, and defense customers. PAG expects to generate approximately $615 million in adjusted revenue in 2025.

The strategic logic is clear. By combining PAG with VSE’s existing aviation operations, the company expects to increase pro forma aviation revenue by roughly 50% in 2025 and significantly deepen its exposure to higher-margin aftermarket services. The combined entity is expected to operate around 60 locations globally, enhancing customer proximity, turnaround times, and aircraft-on-ground support—key differentiators in a sector where reliability and speed are paramount.

Margin expansion is central to the deal thesis. PAG’s adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to be immediately accretive, and VSE believes the combined company can exceed a 20% consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin over the next few years. This improvement is expected to be driven by increased proprietary repair content, operational leverage, procurement efficiencies, and more than $15 million in anticipated annual synergies from cross-selling, insourcing, and network optimization.

Beyond scale, the acquisition meaningfully broadens VSE’s technical capabilities. PAG’s four business units—component services, engine services, avionics, and proprietary solutions—complement VSE’s existing offerings and enhance its ability to extend asset life and reduce total cost of ownership for customers. This expanded portfolio strengthens VSE’s positioning as a mission-critical partner across multiple aviation end markets, including defense, which adds resilience through economic cycles.

Management commentary underscores the long-term ambition. VSE CEO John Cuomo described the acquisition as a “pivotal moment” in building a differentiated, higher-margin aviation aftermarket platform. PAG CEO David Mast emphasized the cultural and strategic alignment between the two organizations, while GenNx360 signaled confidence through a substantial equity rollover.

Financially, VSE enters the transaction from a position of strength. Preliminary 2025 results point to revenue of approximately $1.1 billion and adjusted EBITDA approaching $180 million, with positive free cash flow for the full year. The cash portion of the deal is supported by a fully committed bridge facility, and the transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approvals.

Taken together, the VSE–PAG combination reflects a broader industry trend: consolidation around scaled platforms with proprietary capabilities, predictable cash flows, and high barriers to entry. If executed as planned, this deal could redefine VSE’s growth trajectory—and set a new benchmark for value creation in the aviation aftermarket.

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