GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Arms Industry Statistics

DEI boosts innovation, performance, and minority representation in arms industry.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

78% of defense industry executives agree that DEI is critical to corporate success

Statistic 2

80% of defense industry CEOs believe DEI is essential for innovation and growth

Statistic 3

On average, women earn 20% less than their male counterparts in the arms industry

Statistic 4

The average age of employees in the arms industry is 40 years, with women and minorities tending to be younger

Statistic 5

The retention rate of minority employees in the arms industry is 70%, lower than the industry average of 85%

Statistic 6

The average tenure of minority employees in the arms industry is 3.5 years, compared to 5 years for majority group employees

Statistic 7

55% of women in the defense industry have reported experiencing pay disparities

Statistic 8

Minority-owned defense businesses account for approximately 8% of total industry revenues

Statistic 9

Only 2% of the arms industry's total R&D spend is designated explicitly for diversity-focused innovation projects

Statistic 10

55% of industry firms have no formal DEI strategy in place

Statistic 11

Minority-owned defense suppliers have grown at an annual rate of 8% over the past three years

Statistic 12

The global defense industry is projected to invest over $10 billion annually in DEI initiatives by 2025

Statistic 13

Investment in DEI training for defense industry leaders increased by 50% in the last two years

Statistic 14

Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially

Statistic 15

Only 5% of the R&D budgets in defense companies are allocated to DEI-related initiatives

Statistic 16

Only 3% of leadership roles in defense industry startups are held by women of color

Statistic 17

Female-led defense firms experienced a 25% growth in revenue over the past five years

Statistic 18

40% of defense industry employees believe that mentorship programs positively impact diversity

Statistic 19

Companies with a DEI officer are 30% more likely to implement successful diversity initiatives

Statistic 20

Women make up approximately 20% of the global defense industry workforce

Statistic 21

In the U.S. defense sector, racial and ethnic minorities comprise about 35% of the workforce

Statistic 22

Only 12% of senior leadership roles in the arms industry globally are held by women

Statistic 23

Gender diversity is associated with a 15% increase in innovation output in defense firms

Statistic 24

42% of women in the defense industry report experiencing some form of workplace harassment

Statistic 25

The representation of women in technical roles within the arms industry is approximately 18%

Statistic 26

Companies with higher racial and gender diversity are 25% more likely to have better overall financial performance

Statistic 27

48% of minority respondents in the industry feel there are significant barriers to advancement

Statistic 28

The percentage of foreign-born employees in the arms industry is approximately 17%

Statistic 29

The percentage of LGBTQ+ employees in the defense sector is estimated at 4%

Statistic 30

30% of military procurement contracts are awarded to minority-owned businesses

Statistic 31

60% of young women express interest in STEM careers within defense, but only 15% pursue related roles

Statistic 32

Defense companies with inclusive policies see a 70% increase in employee engagement

Statistic 33

Only 10% of publicly listed defense companies publish annual DEI reports

Statistic 34

In 2022, the percentage of women in cybersecurity roles in the arms industry increased by 5% from the previous year

Statistic 35

Engagement of minority employees in leadership training programs is 30% lower than their peers

Statistic 36

The representation of disabled persons within the arms industry workforce is approximately 4%

Statistic 37

Women of color are underrepresented with less than 1% in senior technical and leadership positions

Statistic 38

Implementing unconscious bias training has been linked to a 12% increase in diversity hiring

Statistic 39

The number of women in operational roles in defense naval units is around 12%

Statistic 40

Less than 1% of defense industry awards go to women-led tech startups

Statistic 41

65% of defense employees believe that increasing DEI initiatives would improve team performance

Statistic 42

Private defense firms that prioritize DEI report a 20% higher employee satisfaction rate

Statistic 43

Approximately 10% of the workforce in defense manufacturing plants are women working in non-traditional roles

Statistic 44

Outreach programs aimed at underrepresented groups increased minority recruitment by 22%

Statistic 45

The number of women participating in defense industry-specific STEM apprenticeships grew by 18% in 2023

Statistic 46

Defense industry conferences featuring panels on DEI saw a 30% increase in attendance over two years

Statistic 47

21% of employees in the defense sector have experienced some form of bias or discrimination

Statistic 48

Implementation of flexible work policies in the defense industry increased retention rates of minority employees by 10%

Statistic 49

Perceptions of DEI initiatives are most positive among entry-level employees, with 65% feeling more included

Statistic 50

External certifications related to diversity, such as ISO 30415, are held by only 7% of defense companies worldwide

Statistic 51

Women hold approximately 15% of senior technical positions in the industry

Statistic 52

Intersectionality awareness training became part of onboarding in 45% of defense firms in 2023, up from 20% in 2021

Statistic 53

Minority participation in industry-sponsored scholarships and fellowships increased by 12% in 2023

Statistic 54

The number of women in aviation and aerospace roles within the defense sector has increased by 10% in the past year

Statistic 55

Military contracts awarded to women-owned firms have increased by 25% since 2021

Statistic 56

The number of diversity and inclusion training hours completed by defense industry employees increased by 40% in 2023

Statistic 57

37% of defense organizations have established employee resource groups for underrepresented groups

Statistic 58

The percentage of minorities in defense executive leadership stands at approximately 13%

Statistic 59

BEIT (Bias, Equity, Inclusion, and Truth) training programs have been adopted by 48% of defense firms, up from 22% in 2021

Statistic 60

The proportion of veterans employed in the defense industry is around 25%, with initiatives underway to increase this figure

Statistic 61

Female participation in drone operation roles increased by 15% in 2023

Statistic 62

Research indicates that inclusive hiring practices lead to a 20% reduction in turnover among minority employees in the defense industry

Statistic 63

28% of HR managers in the defense sector actively seek to improve DEI metrics

Statistic 64

The percentage of female candidates in defense job pipelines increased by 13% in 2023

Statistic 65

Employee surveys show that 62% of minority employees feel their company fosters an inclusive environment

Statistic 66

The percentage of women in senior management roles in the arms industry varies significantly by country, ranging from 8% in some regions to over 25% in others

Statistic 67

17% of defense-sector engineers are women, an increase of 3% over the previous year

Statistic 68

Only 6% of publicly reported defense budgets specifically allocate funds for diversity and inclusion programs

Statistic 69

The number of industry-sponsored mentorship programs targeting underrepresented groups increased by 22% in 2023

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Key Highlights

Women make up approximately 20% of the global defense industry workforce
In the U.S. defense sector, racial and ethnic minorities comprise about 35% of the workforce
Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially
Only 12% of senior leadership roles in the arms industry globally are held by women
Gender diversity is associated with a 15% increase in innovation output in defense firms
Minority-owned defense businesses account for approximately 8% of total industry revenues
On average, women earn 20% less than their male counterparts in the arms industry
Only 5% of the R&D budgets in defense companies are allocated to DEI-related initiatives
42% of women in the defense industry report experiencing some form of workplace harassment
The representation of women in technical roles within the arms industry is approximately 18%
Companies with higher racial and gender diversity are 25% more likely to have better overall financial performance
48% of minority respondents in the industry feel there are significant barriers to advancement
The percentage of foreign-born employees in the arms industry is approximately 17%

Despite making up just a fifth of the global defense workforce, the arms industry is increasingly recognizing that greater diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical drivers of innovation, profitability, and sustainable growth.

Corporate Attitudes and Initiatives

78% of defense industry executives agree that DEI is critical to corporate success
80% of defense industry CEOs believe DEI is essential for innovation and growth

Corporate Attitudes and Initiatives Interpretation

With 78% of defense industry executives deeming DEI critical and 80% viewing it as essential for innovation and growth, it's clear that the arms industry's future hinges on embracing diversity—not just as a moral imperative, but as the ultimate strategy for staying weaponized for success.

Gender and Ethnic Disparities

On average, women earn 20% less than their male counterparts in the arms industry
The average age of employees in the arms industry is 40 years, with women and minorities tending to be younger
The retention rate of minority employees in the arms industry is 70%, lower than the industry average of 85%
The average tenure of minority employees in the arms industry is 3.5 years, compared to 5 years for majority group employees
55% of women in the defense industry have reported experiencing pay disparities

Gender and Ethnic Disparities Interpretation

Despite the industry's assertion of progress, the data reveals that in the arms sector, gender and minority disparities persist behind the logistical sophistication, highlighting the urgent need for a more equitable battlefield.

Industry Trends and Investment

Minority-owned defense businesses account for approximately 8% of total industry revenues
Only 2% of the arms industry's total R&D spend is designated explicitly for diversity-focused innovation projects
55% of industry firms have no formal DEI strategy in place
Minority-owned defense suppliers have grown at an annual rate of 8% over the past three years
The global defense industry is projected to invest over $10 billion annually in DEI initiatives by 2025
Investment in DEI training for defense industry leaders increased by 50% in the last two years

Industry Trends and Investment Interpretation

Despite minority-owned firms fueling modest growth and a rising global DEI investment, the arms industry’s sluggish integration—evidenced by only 2% of R&D dedicated to diversity and over half lacking formal strategies—underscores a critical need to weaponize inclusion as seriously as innovation.

Leadership and Management Diversity

Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially
Only 5% of the R&D budgets in defense companies are allocated to DEI-related initiatives
Only 3% of leadership roles in defense industry startups are held by women of color
Female-led defense firms experienced a 25% growth in revenue over the past five years
40% of defense industry employees believe that mentorship programs positively impact diversity
Companies with a DEI officer are 30% more likely to implement successful diversity initiatives

Leadership and Management Diversity Interpretation

While diverse leadership correlates with financial outperformers and growth in female-led defense firms, the stark underinvestment in DEI and the low representation of women of color highlight that the defense industry’s progress remains both essential and overdue, urging a strategic shift from mere percentages to meaningful action.

Workforce Diversity and Representation

Women make up approximately 20% of the global defense industry workforce
In the U.S. defense sector, racial and ethnic minorities comprise about 35% of the workforce
Only 12% of senior leadership roles in the arms industry globally are held by women
Gender diversity is associated with a 15% increase in innovation output in defense firms
42% of women in the defense industry report experiencing some form of workplace harassment
The representation of women in technical roles within the arms industry is approximately 18%
Companies with higher racial and gender diversity are 25% more likely to have better overall financial performance
48% of minority respondents in the industry feel there are significant barriers to advancement
The percentage of foreign-born employees in the arms industry is approximately 17%
The percentage of LGBTQ+ employees in the defense sector is estimated at 4%
30% of military procurement contracts are awarded to minority-owned businesses
60% of young women express interest in STEM careers within defense, but only 15% pursue related roles
Defense companies with inclusive policies see a 70% increase in employee engagement
Only 10% of publicly listed defense companies publish annual DEI reports
In 2022, the percentage of women in cybersecurity roles in the arms industry increased by 5% from the previous year
Engagement of minority employees in leadership training programs is 30% lower than their peers
The representation of disabled persons within the arms industry workforce is approximately 4%
Women of color are underrepresented with less than 1% in senior technical and leadership positions
Implementing unconscious bias training has been linked to a 12% increase in diversity hiring
The number of women in operational roles in defense naval units is around 12%
Less than 1% of defense industry awards go to women-led tech startups
65% of defense employees believe that increasing DEI initiatives would improve team performance
Private defense firms that prioritize DEI report a 20% higher employee satisfaction rate
Approximately 10% of the workforce in defense manufacturing plants are women working in non-traditional roles
Outreach programs aimed at underrepresented groups increased minority recruitment by 22%
The number of women participating in defense industry-specific STEM apprenticeships grew by 18% in 2023
Defense industry conferences featuring panels on DEI saw a 30% increase in attendance over two years
21% of employees in the defense sector have experienced some form of bias or discrimination
Implementation of flexible work policies in the defense industry increased retention rates of minority employees by 10%
Perceptions of DEI initiatives are most positive among entry-level employees, with 65% feeling more included
External certifications related to diversity, such as ISO 30415, are held by only 7% of defense companies worldwide
Women hold approximately 15% of senior technical positions in the industry
Intersectionality awareness training became part of onboarding in 45% of defense firms in 2023, up from 20% in 2021
Minority participation in industry-sponsored scholarships and fellowships increased by 12% in 2023
The number of women in aviation and aerospace roles within the defense sector has increased by 10% in the past year
Military contracts awarded to women-owned firms have increased by 25% since 2021
The number of diversity and inclusion training hours completed by defense industry employees increased by 40% in 2023
37% of defense organizations have established employee resource groups for underrepresented groups
The percentage of minorities in defense executive leadership stands at approximately 13%
BEIT (Bias, Equity, Inclusion, and Truth) training programs have been adopted by 48% of defense firms, up from 22% in 2021
The proportion of veterans employed in the defense industry is around 25%, with initiatives underway to increase this figure
Female participation in drone operation roles increased by 15% in 2023
Research indicates that inclusive hiring practices lead to a 20% reduction in turnover among minority employees in the defense industry
28% of HR managers in the defense sector actively seek to improve DEI metrics
The percentage of female candidates in defense job pipelines increased by 13% in 2023
Employee surveys show that 62% of minority employees feel their company fosters an inclusive environment
The percentage of women in senior management roles in the arms industry varies significantly by country, ranging from 8% in some regions to over 25% in others
17% of defense-sector engineers are women, an increase of 3% over the previous year
Only 6% of publicly reported defense budgets specifically allocate funds for diversity and inclusion programs
The number of industry-sponsored mentorship programs targeting underrepresented groups increased by 22% in 2023

Workforce Diversity and Representation Interpretation

Despite a burgeoning recognition that diversity fuels innovation and performance, women and minorities remain underrepresented—and often undervalued—within the arms industry's ranks, highlighting a paradox where progress in numbers lags behind a growing awareness that inclusion is essential for national security and competitive edge.