LONDON, July 26 (Reuters) - The UK government is closely monitoring Cobham's takeover bid of British defence group Ultra Electronics, a government spokesperson told Reuters.

Defence group Cobham Ltd made a $3.6 billion offer to buy UK-based rival Ultra Electronics, Ultra said on Friday, adding that it was considering recommending the bid to shareholders.

"The Government is aware of the proposed purchase of Ultra Electronics Holding Plc by Cobham Limited. While this is a commercial matter for the companies involved, we are closely monitoring the transaction," a UK government spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement.

Earlier on Monday, Sky News reported that UK Business Secretary Kwarteng had ordered a probe into the deal.

Under the Enterprise Act 2002, the UK Government has the power to intervene in mergers on public interest grounds, including national security, media plurality and the stability of the UK financial system. (Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; writing by Abhinav Ramnarayan; editing by Barbara Lewis)