About our Aerospace and Defence news
Latest news on Aerospace and Defence (A&D), covering military spending, NATO, commercial aviation, space, defence contracts, arms deals, and key trends.
The aerospace and defence sector is one of the world's largest and most strategically important industries, shaped by rising geopolitical tensions, rapid technological change, and sustained growth in both military budgets and commercial aviation demand. Global military expenditure has risen for over a decade, reaching a record $2.7 trillion in 2024 according to SIPRI, with the steepest year-on-year increase since the end of the Cold War. The five largest defence spenders — the United States, China, Russia, Germany, and India — account for roughly 60 per cent of global outlays. At the same time, the commercial aviation market continues to see unprecedented order backlogs, with Airbus and Boeing each holding over a decade's worth of unfilled aircraft orders.
Europe has entered a period of historic rearmament, driven by the war in Ukraine and shifting transatlantic security dynamics. The EU's ReArm Europe plan aims to mobilise up to €800 billion in additional defence spending by 2030, supported by the €150 billion SAFE loan instrument and the activation of national fiscal escape clauses. Germany has dramatically increased its Bundeswehr budget and aims to field the strongest conventional army in Europe, while Poland has earmarked its largest-ever defence allocation. NATO members have accelerated efforts to meet or exceed the alliance's spending guidelines, with many now targeting well above 2 per cent of GDP.
Artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and advanced manufacturing are reshaping the industry. Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become central to modern warfare strategy, from one-way attack munitions to collaborative combat aircraft programmes such as the US Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative. AI is increasingly embedded in defence decision-making, logistics, and cybersecurity, while also transforming commercial aviation through predictive maintenance and air traffic management. Supply chain resilience remains a major challenge, with both defence primes and commercial aircraft manufacturers working to scale production amid persistent bottlenecks and workforce shortages.
Major defence contractors — including Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies), Northrop Grumman, Leonardo, Thales, and Rheinmetall — continue to report strong order books, driven by rising procurement budgets and long-horizon modernisation programmes. The F-35 stealth fighter programme remains one of the largest defence projects in history. In commercial aviation, Airbus and Boeing are competing to ramp up narrowbody production to address surging airline demand, while the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector enjoys record growth led by engine services. Emerging players in defence technology, backed by growing venture capital investment, are bringing fresh competition to traditional primes.
The space sector has become a critical pillar of the broader aerospace and defence landscape. The global space economy surpassed $613 billion in 2024, with commercial revenues accounting for roughly 78 per cent of the total. Companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and United Launch Alliance are driving down launch costs through reusable rocket technology, while satellite constellations for communications, Earth observation, and military intelligence continue to expand. Space-based capabilities are increasingly vital for national security, and governments worldwide are investing in missile defence, space situational awareness, and counter-space programmes.
Sustainability and decarbonisation have become defining priorities for the civil aerospace industry. Aircraft manufacturers, airlines, and engine makers are investing in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), hydrogen propulsion research, and next-generation aircraft designs to reduce emissions. The development of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and advanced air mobility (AAM) concepts aims to create new urban and regional transport markets over the coming decade. These efforts sit alongside ongoing debates about the environmental and social trade-offs of rising military expenditure and the arms industry's broader impact.
Our NewsNow Aerospace and Defence feed brings together the latest headlines from across the sector, covering defence budgets, arms contracts, commercial aviation, space launches, and industry developments. Whether you follow military procurement, airline news, satellite technology, or the business of major contractors like Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, and BAE Systems, this feed is your comprehensive source for staying informed about the forces shaping the global A&D industry.