From fighter jets that remain kings of the sky to AI-piloted drones and Mach 5 missiles rapidly reshaping warfare, the defense aerospace sector is a titan in motion, propelled by a staggering USD 102.5 billion market that is projected to soar past USD 150 billion by decade's end.
Key Takeaways
- The global defense aerospace market size was valued at USD 102.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 150.2 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.6%.
- U.S. defense aerospace spending accounted for 39% of the global total in 2022, amounting to approximately USD 85 billion.
- The fighter aircraft segment dominated the defense aerospace market with a 42% revenue share in 2023.
- Lockheed Martin Aeronautics revenue reached USD 27.8 billion in 2023, up 12% YoY.
- Boeing Defense, Space & Security segment generated USD 25.0 billion in revenue for 2023.
- Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems division revenue was USD 12.6 billion in 2023.
- Lockheed Martin F-35 program backlog stood at 2,456 aircraft as of Q4 2023.
- U.S. defense aerospace industry employed 1.2 million workers directly in 2023.
- Boeing Defense employed 34,000 people in aerospace divisions as of 2023.
- RTX R&D investment in defense aerospace was USD 3.2 billion in 2023.
- Lockheed Martin invested USD 1.9 billion in IRAD for aeronautics in 2023.
- Northrop Grumman R&D spending reached USD 2.4 billion, focused on next-gen aircraft in 2023.
- U.S. F-35 deliveries reached 156 aircraft in 2023.
- Boeing delivered 45 F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers in 2023.
- Northrop Grumman produced 12 B-21 Raiders in low-rate initial production by end-2023.
The global defense aerospace industry is growing significantly due to rising global demand.
Company Financials
- Lockheed Martin Aeronautics revenue reached USD 27.8 billion in 2023, up 12% YoY.
- Boeing Defense, Space & Security segment generated USD 25.0 billion in revenue for 2023.
- Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems division revenue was USD 12.6 billion in 2023.
- Raytheon Technologies Missiles & Defense unit revenue hit USD 15.2 billion in 2023.
- BAE Systems Air sector revenue increased to GBP 6.8 billion in 2023.
- General Dynamics Mission Systems revenue was USD 4.1 billion in 2023.
- Airbus Defence and Space revenue stood at EUR 11.8 billion in 2023.
- L3Harris Technologies revenue from Integrated Mission Systems was USD 7.9 billion in FY2023.
- Textron Aviation Defense revenue reached USD 1.5 billion in 2023.
- Leonardo S.p.A. Aeronautics division revenue was EUR 3.2 billion in 2023.
Company Financials Interpretation
In the high-stakes poker game of global defense, Lockheed Martin and Boeing remain the chip-heavy table leaders, while a crowded field of formidable players jostles for position, proving that national security is an industry measured not just in capabilities but in tens of billions.
Employment and Workforce
- Lockheed Martin F-35 program backlog stood at 2,456 aircraft as of Q4 2023.
- U.S. defense aerospace industry employed 1.2 million workers directly in 2023.
- Boeing Defense employed 34,000 people in aerospace divisions as of 2023.
- Northrop Grumman had 95,000 employees, with 40% in aeronautics in 2023.
- Raytheon Technologies employed 185,000, with 25% in defense aerospace in 2023.
- BAE Systems Air sector employed over 25,000 people globally in 2023.
- U.S. aerospace manufacturing workforce grew by 2.5% to 650,000 in 2023.
- Lockheed Martin total workforce was 122,000, with Aeronautics at 37,000 in 2023.
- Europe's defense aerospace sector employed 550,000 people in 2022.
- General Dynamics Aerospace employed 12,000 workers in 2023.
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
It’s a high-stakes game of economic Jenga where nearly two million global jobs rest upon the wings of aircraft like the F-35, of which there are still 2,456 left on order, proving that peace through strength is also a formidable jobs program.
Exports and International Trade
- U.S. defense aerospace exports totaled USD 18.5 billion in FY2023.
- F-35 foreign military sales reached 1,000 units ordered by 15 partner nations as of 2023.
- U.S. was the top exporter with 52% share of global arms transfers in 2018-2022.
- Saudi Arabia imported USD 7.1 billion in aircraft and aerospace systems in 2022.
- India signed deals worth USD 4.2 billion for defense aircraft imports in 2023.
- UK exported GBP 11.3 billion in defense aerospace goods in 2022.
- France's Rafale exports generated EUR 20 billion in orders by 2023.
- China's defense aerospace exports grew 15% to USD 2.8 billion in 2023.
- Australia ordered 72 F-35A jets valued at USD 12 billion through 2023.
Exports and International Trade Interpretation
America’s fighter jets are the world’s favorite export, proving that when diplomacy gets complicated, a supersonic peace offering still closes the deal.
Market Size and Growth
- The global defense aerospace market size was valued at USD 102.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 150.2 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.6%.
- U.S. defense aerospace spending accounted for 39% of the global total in 2022, amounting to approximately USD 85 billion.
- The fighter aircraft segment dominated the defense aerospace market with a 42% revenue share in 2023.
- Asia-Pacific defense aerospace market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 6.8% from 2024 to 2030 due to rising military expenditures.
- Military rotorcraft market within defense aerospace reached USD 28.4 billion in 2023.
- Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) segment in defense aerospace grew by 12% YoY in 2023 to USD 15.7 billion.
- European defense aerospace market valued at EUR 45 billion in 2022.
- Hypersonic weapons market in defense aerospace projected to grow from USD 5.2 billion in 2023 to USD 12.4 billion by 2028 at CAGR 19%.
- U.S. DoD aircraft procurement budget for FY2024 is USD 49.5 billion.
- Global military aircraft MRO market size was USD 72.6 billion in 2023.
- The global defense aerospace market size was valued at USD 102.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 150.2 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.6%.
- U.S. defense aerospace spending accounted for 39% of the global total in 2022, amounting to approximately USD 85 billion.
- The fighter aircraft segment dominated the defense aerospace market with a 42% revenue share in 2023.
- Asia-Pacific defense aerospace market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 6.8% from 2024 to 2030 due to rising military expenditures.
- Military rotorcraft market within defense aerospace reached USD 28.4 billion in 2023.
- Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) segment in defense aerospace grew by 12% YoY in 2023 to USD 15.7 billion.
- European defense aerospace market valued at EUR 45 billion in 2022.
- Hypersonic weapons market in defense aerospace projected to grow from USD 5.2 billion in 2023 to USD 12.4 billion by 2028 at CAGR 19%.
- U.S. DoD aircraft procurement budget for FY2024 is USD 49.5 billion.
- Global military aircraft MRO market size was USD 72.6 billion in 2023.
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
While the world desperately invests in peace talks, the defense aerospace industry quietly cashes in on the assumption that, for the foreseeable future, humanity's second favorite hobby will remain building very expensive things to deter each other from pursuing the first.
Production and Deliveries
- U.S. F-35 deliveries reached 156 aircraft in 2023.
- Boeing delivered 45 F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers in 2023.
- Northrop Grumman produced 12 B-21 Raiders in low-rate initial production by end-2023.
- Global military helicopter deliveries totaled 450 units in 2023.
- Airbus delivered 12 A400M tactical airlifters to defense customers in 2023.
- Leonardo delivered 25 AW139 helicopters to military operators in 2023.
- U.S. KC-46 Pegasus tanker deliveries hit 65 aircraft cumulatively by 2023.
- MQ-9 Reaper UAV production rate increased to 24 per year in 2023.
- F-16 production line delivered 18 new-build fighters in 2023.
Production and Deliveries Interpretation
It's a busy time for airpower accountants, as stealthy F-35s pour off the line while stalwarts like the Super Hornet and KC-46 keep the force fed, all watched over by drones and the looming shadow of the B-21 Raider.
R&D and Innovation
- RTX R&D investment in defense aerospace was USD 3.2 billion in 2023.
- Lockheed Martin invested USD 1.9 billion in IRAD for aeronautics in 2023.
- Northrop Grumman R&D spending reached USD 2.4 billion, focused on next-gen aircraft in 2023.
- Boeing invested USD 2.8 billion in defense R&D for aerospace technologies in 2023.
- DARPA allocated USD 4.1 billion for aerospace-related projects in FY2023.
- AFRL (Air Force Research Laboratory) budget for aeronautics was USD 1.7 billion in FY2023.
- EU invested EUR 8 billion in defense R&D including aerospace under EDF 2021-2027.
- Hypersonic tech patents in defense aerospace surged 25% YoY to 1,200 in 2023.
- NASA aeronautics R&D funding was USD 1.0 billion in FY2023, benefiting defense tech.
- BAE Systems R&D spend was GBP 1.1 billion, 8% of revenue, in 2023.
R&D and Innovation Interpretation
One could view the combined billions poured into aerospace R&D as a high-stakes global poker game where the ante is technological supremacy and the players are frantically trying not to be the one left holding last decade's deck.
Sources & References
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