The rising revenues of international defence companies

Global Record Revenues in the Defence Sector Reach Record Levels

2025-12-02 Source: dpa | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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The threat situation and global conflicts are allowing internationally operating defence companies to enjoy true revenue records ...

The global situation is causing many countries to feel more threatened than just a few years ago. As a result, defence spending is increasing to enhance protection. The world's 100 leading defence companies, such as Lockheed Martin with the new F-35 fighter jet, are benefiting.(Image: Lockheed Martin) — The global situation is causing many countries to feel more threatened than just a few years ago. As a result, defence spending is increasing to enhance protection. The world's 100 leading defence companies, such as Lockheed Martin with the new F-35 fighter jet, are benefiting.
(Image: Lockheed Martin)

The world's 100 largest weapons producers increased their revenues from the sale of arms and military services by a currency-adjusted 5.9 percent last year due to the geopolitical situation, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri). This development ultimately resulted in combined revenues of around $679 billion (approximately €586 billion), reportedly the highest figure ever recorded. In light of this trend, defence players have also significantly expanded their production capacities, invested in new facilities, and/or established subsidiaries, according to the report. The war in Ukraine and the situation in the Gaza Strip are cited as key drivers of this revenue increase. Let's take a closer look at how this breaks down for individual countries ...

The USA remains the number one arms manufacturer

A total of 39 of the world's 100 largest arms companies are based in the United States! Among them are the undisputed leader Lockheed Martin, as well as RTX and Northrop Grumman, ranked second and third respectively on the Sipri list. Together, these 39 US corporations achieved arms sales totaling $334 billion after a 3.8 percent increase, accounting for nearly half of the global total. For the first time, the US space company SpaceX (ranked 77th), owned by billionaire Elon Musk, also appeared in the Top 100. According to Sipri, the company's defence revenues more than doubled within a year, reaching $1.8 billion. However, weapon production in the United States is not without issues, as Sipri notes. In the development and production of key US defence products, such as the new F-35 fighter jet, Columbia-class submarines, and the Sentinel intercontinental missile, the Swedes observed delays and budget overruns. These have created uncertainties regarding when critical new US weapon systems and upgrades to existing systems can be delivered and deployed.

German defence companies are playing at the top

The 26 listed arms companies in Europe (excluding Russia) saw significant growth, as reported further. Their combined revenues increased by 13 percent to $151 billion. According to the peace research institute, this rise was linked to demand driven by the war in Ukraine and the perceived threat from Russia. The four listed companies from Germany achieved a combined revenue surge of 36 percent to $14.9 billion. According to Sipri, a key reason for this was the increased demand for ground-based air defence systems, ammunition, and armored vehicles. Germany's largest defence company, Rheinmetall, experienced particularly strong growth of 47 percent to approximately $8.2 billion. This pushed the company six places higher on the list, now ranking 20th. Thyssenkrupp (ranked 61st), Hensoldt (62nd), and Diehl (67th) also reported double-digit revenue increases, moving up several places each. Airbus (ranked 13th), MBDA (30th), and KNDS (42nd) are classified by Sipri as trans-European corporations.

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