In early 2007 it was announced that the DML group was for sale and major players in the world defence industry were rumoured to be interested in buying the company from the current share holders. BAE Systems was one of the companies rumoured to be interested; The Independent on Sunday suggested that the Ministry of Defence was keen to see these combined with BAE's submarine manufacturing facilities.
In early 2007, it was reported that the DML group was available for purchase, and prominent defence industry firms were speculated to be keen on acquiring the company from its current owners. BAE Systems was one of the companies believed to be interested; The Independent on Sunday proposed that the Ministry of Defence would like these merged with BAE's submarine manufacturing facilities.