GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Defense Industry Statistics

Defense industry boosts upskilling; addressing skills gap and technological advancement.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

45% of defense sector employees require reskilling due to automation and AI integration by 2025

Statistic 2

70% of defense contractors report a skills gap in cybersecurity and electronic warfare

Statistic 3

Autonomous systems development has increased the need for specific technical upskilling, leading to a 30% rise in related training programs

Statistic 4

The average reskilling program duration in the defense industry is 6 months, with some specialized fields requiring up to 12 months

Statistic 5

Reskilling efforts in the defense industry have resulted in a 25% reduction in project delays related to skill shortages

Statistic 6

The defense industry’s workforce aging population is driving a 40% increase in reskilling initiatives since 2020

Statistic 7

52% of defense organizations report difficulty in recruiting candidates with specialized technical skills, leading to increased upskilling programs

Statistic 8

The integration of drones and UAV systems has increased the need for specialized technical reskilling by 45%

Statistic 9

44% of defense organizations have experienced a skills shortage in electronic warfare capabilities, leading to targeted reskilling initiatives

Statistic 10

50% of defense industry stakeholders report that lack of reskilling impedes innovation efforts

Statistic 11

The average age of the defense industry workforce is 43 years, emphasizing the need for targeted reskilling initiatives

Statistic 12

73% of defense industry managers believe reskilling is vital to future defense capabilities

Statistic 13

55% of defense practitioners consider upskilling and reskilling essential for adapting to changing geopolitical threats

Statistic 14

69% of military leaders agree that reskilling initiatives improve operational readiness

Statistic 15

48% of defense organizations utilize data analytics to identify upskilling gaps

Statistic 16

The percentage of defense workforce participants in vocational training programs increased by 30% over the last two years

Statistic 17

48% of defense organizations utilize virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for skills training

Statistic 18

The deployment of AI and machine learning in employee training modules in defense increased by 50% in 2023

Statistic 19

68% of defense companies have increased investment in upskilling initiatives since 2020

Statistic 20

82% of defense industry HR leaders see upskilling as critical to maintaining technological superiority

Statistic 21

The defense industry's annual spend on employee training reached $1.7 billion in 2022

Statistic 22

Only 34% of defense firms currently offer formal reskilling programs for their technical workforce

Statistic 23

55% of defense industry employees believe continuous training is essential for career advancement

Statistic 24

60% of defense industry leaders plan to partner with educational institutions to foster workforce reskilling

Statistic 25

The global defense industry’s upskilling market is projected to reach $2.5 billion by 2025

Statistic 26

77% of defense contractors invest in leadership development programs to reskill middle management

Statistic 27

67% of defense companies conduct annual skills assessments to identify reskilling needs

Statistic 28

80% of newly hired defense employees undergo targeted upskilling during onboarding

Statistic 29

The adoption of cloud computing skills in the defense industry has increased by 60% over the last three years

Statistic 30

35% of defense employees have participated in cross-disciplinary upskilling programs in the past year

Statistic 31

The U.S. Department of Defense allocates approximately $500 million annually for civilian workforce reskilling

Statistic 32

75% of defense industry executives believe upskilling creates a competitive advantage

Statistic 33

65% of defense industry training programs incorporate online and e-learning modules

Statistic 34

58% of defense companies have adopted AI-driven personalized learning platforms for employee reskilling

Statistic 35

59% of defense firms plan to increase their training budgets by at least 10% in 2024 to address upskilling needs

Statistic 36

Over 50% of defense industry employees state that reskilling programs improve job satisfaction

Statistic 37

69% of defense contractors are leveraging virtual simulation tools to upskill their personnel

Statistic 38

The defense industry’s investment in reskilling technology platforms increased by 35% in 2023

Statistic 39

61% of defense organizations partner with private tech firms to develop customized upskilling programs

Statistic 40

46% of military defense personnel in Europe participate in continuous professional development for skill maintenance

Statistic 41

84% of defense industry HR teams believe soft skills development is as important as technical training

Statistic 42

72% of defense companies have reskilled or upskilled remote workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 43

66% of defense organizations plan to integrate more AI and machine learning into their training programs by 2025

Statistic 44

49% of defense companies have increased mentorship programs to support upskilling

Statistic 45

74% of defense organizations are exploring or implementing microlearning techniques for continuous employee development

Statistic 46

Investment in digital skills training in the defense industry grew by 25% in 2023

Statistic 47

58% of defense organizations report that reskilling initiatives helped reduce dependence on external contractors

Statistic 48

The number of cross-training programs in the defense industry increased by 40% over the past three years

Statistic 49

62% of defense industry professionals have taken part in leadership upskilling programs

Statistic 50

85% of defense industry firms are investing in cybersecurity skill training due to rising cyber threats

Statistic 51

The use of gamified training modules in defense has increased training retention rates by 30%

Statistic 52

76% of defense industry organizations plan to expand their internal upskilling teams in the next two years

Statistic 53

64% of defense companies report that their upskilling efforts have directly contributed to winning new contracts

Statistic 54

The percentage of defense employees participating in international skills exchanges increased by 20% in 2022

Statistic 55

43% of defense companies report that reskilling reduces turnover among highly skilled employees

Statistic 56

36% of defense firms focus their upskilling on emerging fields such as quantum computing and nanotechnology

Statistic 57

78% of defense industry HR managers believe that future skills development should prioritize adaptability and resilience

Statistic 58

The number of online upskilling courses tailored specifically for defense industry needs increased by 50% in 2023

Statistic 59

85% of defense organizations identify talent retention as a key benefit of effective reskilling programs

Statistic 60

58% of defense industry companies plan to adopt more collaborative and peer-to-peer learning models for upskilling

Statistic 61

72% of defense executives view upskilling as integral to their long-term strategic planning

Statistic 62

65% of defense organizations are investing in developing soft skills like leadership, communication, and team collaboration

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Key Highlights

68% of defense companies have increased investment in upskilling initiatives since 2020
82% of defense industry HR leaders see upskilling as critical to maintaining technological superiority
45% of defense sector employees require reskilling due to automation and AI integration by 2025
The defense industry's annual spend on employee training reached $1.7 billion in 2022
70% of defense contractors report a skills gap in cybersecurity and electronic warfare
Only 34% of defense firms currently offer formal reskilling programs for their technical workforce
55% of defense industry employees believe continuous training is essential for career advancement
Autonomous systems development has increased the need for specific technical upskilling, leading to a 30% rise in related training programs
60% of defense industry leaders plan to partner with educational institutions to foster workforce reskilling
The global defense industry’s upskilling market is projected to reach $2.5 billion by 2025
77% of defense contractors invest in leadership development programs to reskill middle management
The average reskilling program duration in the defense industry is 6 months, with some specialized fields requiring up to 12 months
48% of defense organizations utilize virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for skills training

As defense giants escalate their investment in upskilling and reskilling—spending over $1.7 billion annually and adopting cutting-edge technologies like AI, VR, and cloud computing—the industry is racing to bridge critical skills gaps, ensure technological superiority, and prepare for a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.

Skills Gap and Reskilling Needs

45% of defense sector employees require reskilling due to automation and AI integration by 2025
70% of defense contractors report a skills gap in cybersecurity and electronic warfare
Autonomous systems development has increased the need for specific technical upskilling, leading to a 30% rise in related training programs
The average reskilling program duration in the defense industry is 6 months, with some specialized fields requiring up to 12 months
Reskilling efforts in the defense industry have resulted in a 25% reduction in project delays related to skill shortages
The defense industry’s workforce aging population is driving a 40% increase in reskilling initiatives since 2020
52% of defense organizations report difficulty in recruiting candidates with specialized technical skills, leading to increased upskilling programs
The integration of drones and UAV systems has increased the need for specialized technical reskilling by 45%
44% of defense organizations have experienced a skills shortage in electronic warfare capabilities, leading to targeted reskilling initiatives
50% of defense industry stakeholders report that lack of reskilling impedes innovation efforts
The average age of the defense industry workforce is 43 years, emphasizing the need for targeted reskilling initiatives
73% of defense industry managers believe reskilling is vital to future defense capabilities
55% of defense practitioners consider upskilling and reskilling essential for adapting to changing geopolitical threats
69% of military leaders agree that reskilling initiatives improve operational readiness
48% of defense organizations utilize data analytics to identify upskilling gaps
The percentage of defense workforce participants in vocational training programs increased by 30% over the last two years

Skills Gap and Reskilling Needs Interpretation

As the defense industry navigates the twin challenges of rapid technological evolution and an aging workforce, a 45% reskilling surge driven by automation, AI, and electronic warfare demands underscores that in today’s defense landscape, staying still is tantamount to falling behind.

Technological Adoption and Innovation

48% of defense organizations utilize virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for skills training
The deployment of AI and machine learning in employee training modules in defense increased by 50% in 2023

Technological Adoption and Innovation Interpretation

With nearly half of defense organizations embracing VR and AR for training and a 50% surge in AI-driven modules in 2023, the industry is clearly arming its workforce with high-tech tools that could make even the most seasoned soldier wonder if their training is more live-fire or live-fly than ever before.

Workforce Investment and Upskilling

68% of defense companies have increased investment in upskilling initiatives since 2020
82% of defense industry HR leaders see upskilling as critical to maintaining technological superiority
The defense industry's annual spend on employee training reached $1.7 billion in 2022
Only 34% of defense firms currently offer formal reskilling programs for their technical workforce
55% of defense industry employees believe continuous training is essential for career advancement
60% of defense industry leaders plan to partner with educational institutions to foster workforce reskilling
The global defense industry’s upskilling market is projected to reach $2.5 billion by 2025
77% of defense contractors invest in leadership development programs to reskill middle management
67% of defense companies conduct annual skills assessments to identify reskilling needs
80% of newly hired defense employees undergo targeted upskilling during onboarding
The adoption of cloud computing skills in the defense industry has increased by 60% over the last three years
35% of defense employees have participated in cross-disciplinary upskilling programs in the past year
The U.S. Department of Defense allocates approximately $500 million annually for civilian workforce reskilling
75% of defense industry executives believe upskilling creates a competitive advantage
65% of defense industry training programs incorporate online and e-learning modules
58% of defense companies have adopted AI-driven personalized learning platforms for employee reskilling
59% of defense firms plan to increase their training budgets by at least 10% in 2024 to address upskilling needs
Over 50% of defense industry employees state that reskilling programs improve job satisfaction
69% of defense contractors are leveraging virtual simulation tools to upskill their personnel
The defense industry’s investment in reskilling technology platforms increased by 35% in 2023
61% of defense organizations partner with private tech firms to develop customized upskilling programs
46% of military defense personnel in Europe participate in continuous professional development for skill maintenance
84% of defense industry HR teams believe soft skills development is as important as technical training
72% of defense companies have reskilled or upskilled remote workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
66% of defense organizations plan to integrate more AI and machine learning into their training programs by 2025
49% of defense companies have increased mentorship programs to support upskilling
74% of defense organizations are exploring or implementing microlearning techniques for continuous employee development
Investment in digital skills training in the defense industry grew by 25% in 2023
58% of defense organizations report that reskilling initiatives helped reduce dependence on external contractors
The number of cross-training programs in the defense industry increased by 40% over the past three years
62% of defense industry professionals have taken part in leadership upskilling programs
85% of defense industry firms are investing in cybersecurity skill training due to rising cyber threats
The use of gamified training modules in defense has increased training retention rates by 30%
76% of defense industry organizations plan to expand their internal upskilling teams in the next two years
64% of defense companies report that their upskilling efforts have directly contributed to winning new contracts
The percentage of defense employees participating in international skills exchanges increased by 20% in 2022
43% of defense companies report that reskilling reduces turnover among highly skilled employees
36% of defense firms focus their upskilling on emerging fields such as quantum computing and nanotechnology
78% of defense industry HR managers believe that future skills development should prioritize adaptability and resilience
The number of online upskilling courses tailored specifically for defense industry needs increased by 50% in 2023
85% of defense organizations identify talent retention as a key benefit of effective reskilling programs
58% of defense industry companies plan to adopt more collaborative and peer-to-peer learning models for upskilling
72% of defense executives view upskilling as integral to their long-term strategic planning
65% of defense organizations are investing in developing soft skills like leadership, communication, and team collaboration

Workforce Investment and Upskilling Interpretation

With defense companies pouring over $1.7 billion into employee training—particularly in emerging tech like AI and cloud computing—it's clear that while only a third offer formal reskilling programs, the industry recognizes that staying technologically sharp and adaptable isn't just good practice but a strategic imperative for maintaining global superiority.