The European defense industry is a major economic pillar—from direct employment to supplier work that supports national competitiveness. This page connects country snapshots (France, Germany, and the UK) with industry performance, including arms export volumes and sector revenues. You’ll also see how research spending and flagship production—combat aircraft, helicopters, artillery shells, and radar systems—translate into future capabilities and resilience.
Key Takeaways
- The European defense industry employed 620,000 people directly in 2022.
- France's defense sector supported 210,000 jobs in 2023.
- Germany's defense industry provided 95,000 direct jobs in 2022.
- European arms exports totaled €70 billion in 2022.
- France was the world's 2nd largest arms exporter with €12 billion in 2022.
- Germany's arms exports reached €8.9 billion in 2023.
- The European defense industry generated total revenues of €104 billion in 2022, marking a 12% year-on-year growth driven by heightened geopolitical tensions.
- Rheinmetall's defense segment revenue reached €6.4 billion in 2023, up 22% from the previous year due to ammunition demand.
- Thales Group's defense revenue stood at €8.9 billion in 2022, accounting for 45% of total group sales.
- In 2022, Europe produced 1,200 new combat aircraft units across major firms.
- Rheinmetall delivered 500,000 artillery shells in 2023.
- Thales produced 2,500 radar systems for European militaries in 2022.
- European defense R&D spending reached €12.5 billion in 2022.
- France invested €7.2 billion in defense R&D in 2023.
- Germany's defense R&D budget was €2.8 billion in 2022.
Europe’s defense industry expanded in 2022 and 2023, adding jobs, revenues, and exports amid rising tensions.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment And Workforce30 stats
01
The European defense industry employed 620,000 people directly in 2022.
02
France's defense sector supported 210,000 jobs in 2023.
03
Germany's defense industry provided 95,000 direct jobs in 2022.
04
UK's defense workforce numbered 144,000 in 2023.
05
Italy's defense sector employed 75,000 workers in 2022.
06
Spain's defense industry had 35,000 direct employees in 2023.
07
Netherlands defense firms employed 25,000 people in 2022.
08
Sweden's defense workforce was 40,000 strong in 2023.
09
Poland defense industry jobs totaled 60,000 in 2022.
10
Thales employed 36,000 in defense-related roles across Europe in 2023.
11
Airbus Defence and Space had 35,000 employees in 2022.
12
Leonardo's workforce in defense was 50,000 in 2023.
13
Rheinmetall employed 25,000 in defense division Europe-wide in 2023.
14
BAE Systems European staff numbered 40,000 in defense in 2022.
15
Saab AB had 18,000 employees focused on defense in 2023.
16
Dassault Aviation employed 12,000 in military aviation in France 2022.
17
MBDA's European workforce was 13,000 in 2023.
18
Fincantieri defense shipbuilding employed 10,000 in Italy 2022.
19
KNDS had 9,000 employees across France and Germany in 2023.
20
Hensoldt employed 6,500 staff in 2023.
21
Indra had 5,000 in defense sectors in 2022.
22
Kongsberg Defence had 7,000 employees in 2023.
23
The EU defense industry saw a 3% workforce growth to 650,000 in 2023.
24
Belgium defense jobs totaled 12,000 in 2022.
25
Czech defense sector employed 20,000 in 2023.
26
Finland's Patria and others employed 8,000 in defense 2022.
27
Greece defense industry workforce was 15,000 in 2023.
28
Europe's defense SMEs employ 300,000 people as of 2022.
29
Rheinmetall plans to hire 4,000 more workers by 2025.
30
Thales skilled engineers in defense: 20,000 in Europe 2023.
Interpretation
Employment And Workforce Interpretation
Across Europe, the defense industry sustained a substantial workforce, employing 620,000 people directly in 2022 and supporting national job bases ranging from 95,000 direct jobs in Germany to 210,000 in France, showing how central employment remains to the European defense workforce in 2022 to 2023.
02 · Category
Exports And Trade30 stats
01
European arms exports totaled €70 billion in 2022.
02
France was the world's 2nd largest arms exporter with €12 billion in 2022.
03
Germany's arms exports reached €8.9 billion in 2023.
04
UK's defense exports hit £11.3 billion in 2022/23.
05
Italy exported €4.5 billion in arms in 2022.
06
Spain's defense exports grew to €4.8 billion in 2023.
07
Sweden exported SEK 25 billion in defense goods 2022.
08
Netherlands arms exports: €1.2 billion in 2022.
09
Poland's defense exports surged to €2.5 billion in 2023.
10
Belgium exported €800 million in defense equipment 2022.
11
Rheinmetall exported €3.2 billion worth in 2023.
12
MBDA missile exports: €2.1 billion in 2022.
13
Saab Gripen exports to Europe/non-EU: SEK 10 billion 2023.
14
Airbus Defence Eurofighter exports: €5 billion order book 2022.
15
Leonardo naval exports: €1.5 billion in 2023.
16
Thales radar exports: €1.8 billion 2022.
17
KNDS Leopard tank exports: €2.5 billion 2023.
18
Fincantieri frigate exports to Europe: €2 billion 2022.
19
Dassault Rafale exports from France: €10 billion cumulative 2023.
20
Hensoldt sensor exports: €600 million 2022.
21
Indra export contracts: €900 million in 2023.
22
Kongsberg NSM missile exports: NOK 5 billion 2022.
23
EU intra-trade in defense goods: €25 billion in 2022.
24
Czech arms exports: CZK 15 billion in 2023.
25
Finland Patria exports: €400 million 2022.
26
Greece defense exports: €300 million 2023.
27
Europe's share of global arms exports: 27% in 2018-2022.
28
Diehl Defence exports: €800 million IRIS-T 2023.
29
Navantia export pipeline: €3 billion submarines 2022.
30
Terma mission system exports: DKK 1.5 billion 2023.
Interpretation
Exports And Trade Interpretation
In the Exports And Trade picture, European arms sales remained substantial in 2022 with €70 billion exported overall and France leading at €12 billion, while Germany rose to €8.9 billion in 2023 and Spain climbed to €4.8 billion in 2023.
report visual · Comparison
European arms export values—who led and by how much
In 2023, Germany and Spain exported €-valued arms exports, with Germany leading Spain by a clear gap in export value.
France exported €12.0 billion in 2022—arms export value.€12.0 billion
Germany exported €8.9 billion in 2023—arms export value.€8.9 billion
Spain exported €4.8 billion in 2023—arms export value.€4.8 billion
source-verifiedsipri.org2023
03 · Category
Market Size And Revenue30 stats
01
The European defense industry generated total revenues of €104 billion in 2022, marking a 12% year-on-year growth driven by heightened geopolitical tensions.
02
Rheinmetall's defense segment revenue reached €6.4 billion in 2023, up 22% from the previous year due to ammunition demand.
03
Thales Group's defense revenue stood at €8.9 billion in 2022, accounting for 45% of total group sales.
04
The French defense industry contributed €26.5 billion to GDP in 2021, supporting 165,000 direct and indirect jobs.
05
Leonardo S.p.A. reported €14.7 billion in total revenues for 2022, with defense electronics at €5.2 billion.
06
BAE Systems' European operations generated £5.1 billion in defense sales in 2023.
07
The EU defense market is projected to reach €200 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.8%.
08
Saab AB's defense revenue hit SEK 28.4 billion in 2022, a 15% increase.
09
Dassault Aviation's order book for Rafale jets totaled €40 billion as of 2023.
10
The German defense industry's turnover was €13.2 billion in 2022.
11
KNDS (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann & Nexter) achieved €3.8 billion in sales in 2023.
12
Fincantieri's defense division revenue was €3.1 billion in 2022.
13
MBDA's missile sales reached €4.2 billion in 2022.
14
Navantia reported €1.5 billion in defense revenues for 2023.
15
Diehl Defence turnover grew to €1.9 billion in 2022.
16
The overall European aerospace and defense market size was €250 billion in 2022.
17
Airbus Defence and Space revenues amounted to €11.5 billion in 2023.
18
Indra Sistemas defense sales hit €1.8 billion in 2022.
19
Hensoldt AG reported €1.7 billion in revenues for fiscal 2023.
20
Terma A/S defense revenue was DKK 3.2 billion in 2022.
21
Kongsberg Gruppen's defense sales reached NOK 25 billion in 2023.
22
Patria Oyj turnover in defense was €500 million in 2022.
23
The Netherlands defense industry generated €4.1 billion in 2022.
24
Poland's defense sector market size was PLN 15 billion in 2023.
25
Sweden's defense industry revenues totaled SEK 100 billion in 2022.
26
Belgium's defense industry turnover was €2.3 billion in 2022.
27
Czech Republic defense exports contributed CZK 20 billion to revenues in 2023.
28
European defense M&A deals totaled €15 billion in value in 2023.
29
The UK defense industry (post-Brexit European context) had £30 billion sales in 2022.
30
Italy's defense industry revenues were €12.8 billion in 2022.
Interpretation
Market Size And Revenue Interpretation
In the Market Size And Revenue category, European defense revenues climbed to €104 billion in 2022 with 12% year-on-year growth while major players also expanded sharply, such as Rheinmetall reaching €6.4 billion in 2023 up 22% and Thales delivering €8.9 billion in defense revenue in 2022.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production And Deliveries30 stats
01
In 2022, Europe produced 1,200 new combat aircraft units across major firms.
02
Rheinmetall delivered 500,000 artillery shells in 2023.
03
Thales produced 2,500 radar systems for European militaries in 2022.
04
Leonardo delivered 120 helicopters to EU forces in 2023.
05
Airbus Defence and Space handed over 50 A400M transports in 2022.
06
Saab Gripen production rate reached 24 jets per year in 2023.
07
Dassault Rafale deliveries totaled 28 units to European customers in 2022.
08
MBDA produced 1,000 Aster missiles in 2023.
09
Fincantieri launched 5 naval frigates for European navies in 2022.
10
KNDS delivered 200 Boxer vehicles to Germany in 2023.
11
BAE Systems produced 300 Hawk trainers for export from Europe in 2022.
12
Hensoldt supplied 400 sensor systems to EU armies in 2023.
13
Indra delivered 150 C-295 maritime patrol aircraft components in 2022.
14
Kongsberg produced 500 NASAMS launchers in 2023.
15
Navantia completed 3 S-80 submarines for Spain in 2022 phase.
16
Diehl Defence manufactured 10,000 IRIS-T missiles in 2023 ramp-up.
17
Patria delivered 100 AMV vehicles to Europe in 2022.
18
Terma produced 800 mission systems for F-35 in Europe 2023.
19
Europe-wide tank production hit 150 Leopard 2 upgrades in 2022.
20
French naval production included 2 FDI frigates delivered in 2023.
21
EDA-facilitated joint production of 155mm ammo reached 1 million rounds target for 2024.
22
Italian FREMM frigates: 4 delivered by 2022.
23
Swedish Visby corvettes production: 2 stealth units in 2023.
24
Poland ordered and received 250 K2 tanks production start 2023.
25
Belgian Sea Sparrow missile production: 200 units in 2022.
26
European drone production: 500 Bayraktar TB2 equivalents licensed in 2023.
27
Rheinmetall 8x8 Lynx IFV: 40 prototypes delivered 2023.
28
Thales Ground Master radars: 100 units to EU in 2022.
29
Europe's artillery systems production surged 50% to 800 howitzers in 2023.
30
Leonardo AW169 helicopters: 30 delivered to Europe 2023.
Interpretation
Production And Deliveries Interpretation
In the Production And Deliveries category, Europe’s defense industry showed a clear ramp up with 1,200 new combat aircraft produced in 2022 and major makers delivering at scale in the following years, including Rheinmetall’s 500,000 artillery shells in 2023 and Thales’s 2,500 radar systems in 2022.
05 · Category
R&d And Innovation30 stats
01
European defense R&D spending reached €12.5 billion in 2022.
02
France invested €7.2 billion in defense R&D in 2023.
03
Germany's defense R&D budget was €2.8 billion in 2022.
04
UK allocated £6.6 billion to defense innovation in 2023.
05
EDA's 2022 R&D projects numbered 180, with €500 million funding.
06
Thales R&D expenditure on defense was €1.2 billion in 2022.
07
Airbus Defence invested €1.8 billion in R&D for 2023.
08
Leonardo spent €1.1 billion on defense R&D in 2022.
09
Rheinmetall R&D budget hit €450 million in 2023.
10
Saab invested SEK 4.5 billion in defense R&D 2022.
11
MBDA R&D on hypersonics: €300 million in 2023.
12
Dassault Aviation R&D for FCAS: €2 billion committed 2022-2030.
13
Hensoldt R&D spend: €200 million in sensors 2023.
14
Indra allocated €250 million to AI defense R&D 2022.
15
Kongsberg R&D investment: NOK 3 billion in 2023.
16
EU Horizon Europe defense-related funding: €1.2 billion in 2022.
17
France's DGA granted 150 innovation contracts worth €400 million in 2023.
18
PESCO projects under EDA: 60 R&D initiatives in 2022.
19
Sweden's FOI defense research institute budget: SEK 1.2 billion 2023.
20
Italy's defense R&D tax credits boosted investments by 20% to €900 million 2022.
21
KNDS digital twin R&D project: €100 million in 2023.
22
BAE Systems Europe R&D: £800 million in 2022.
23
Fincantieri green ship R&D: €150 million 2023.
24
Diehl Defence quantum sensor R&D: €50 million 2022.
25
Terma space defense R&D: DKK 500 million 2023.
26
Patria autonomy R&D: €80 million in unmanned systems 2022.
27
Navantia hydrogen propulsion R&D: €60 million 2023.
28
Europe's patents in defense tech rose 15% to 5,200 in 2022.
29
EDA Category B R&D budget: €300 million for air systems 2023.
30
Rheinmetall AI lab R&D hires: 200 specialists 2023.
Interpretation
R&d And Innovation Interpretation
Across Europe, defense R&D is accelerating and concentrating, with spending hitting €12.5 billion in 2022 and country efforts such as France’s €7.2 billion in 2023 and the UK’s £6.6 billion for defense innovation showing that innovation funding is becoming increasingly substantial and targeted.
Reference
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APA
Elif Demirci. (2026, February 13). European Defense Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/european-defense-industry-statistics
MLA
Elif Demirci. "European Defense Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/european-defense-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Elif Demirci. 2026. "European Defense Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/european-defense-industry-statistics.