In this article we discuss the 5 largest defense contractors in the world. If you want to read our detailed analysis of the defense industry, go directly to the 20 Largest Defense Contractors in the World.
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5. The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA)
The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment, and missiles worldwide. The company also provides leasing and product support services. The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) is among the largest global aerospace manufacturers; it is the second-largest defense contractor in the world based on 2018 revenue, and is the largest exporter in the United States by dollar value. Boeing stock is included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is incorporated in Delaware.
4. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT)
Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) is an American aerospace, arms, defense, security, and advanced technologies company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in North Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington, D.C., area. Lockheed Martin employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide as of January 2020. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) recorded a revenue of $59.81 billion in 2019 and is therefore the world’s fourth largest weapons manufacturer.
3. Aviation Industry Corporation of China
The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) is a Chinese state-owned aerospace, electronics, and defense conglomerate headquartered in Beijing. It is ranked 151st in the Fortune Global 500 list as of 2019, and has over 100 subsidiaries, 27 listed companies and 500,000 employees across the globe.
With a revenue of $65.5 billion in 2020, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China is third on the list of 20 top defense contractors in 2021. The company deals in air transport manufacturing, general aviation, helicopters, aircraft systems, automobiles, and ships. The Aviation Industry Corporation of China has produced world-renowned fighter aircrafts, fighter bomber aircrafts, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
2. General Electric Company (NYSE: GE)
General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) is an American multinational conglomerate incorporated in New York City and headquartered in Boston. As of 2018, the company operates through the following segments: aviation, healthcare, power, renewable energy, digital industry, additive manufacturing and venture capital and finance. Due to its sizable revenue of $75.619 billion in 2020, it ranks 2nd in the list of the largest defense contractors in the world.
Most of the sales of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) military products and services are booked by its Aviation business. However, some of the company’s other businesses also sell limited military products and services. General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) military products consist of components or subsystems, consist of engines and propellers for propulsion of military aircraft and engines for military vessels, flight actuation, flight control, and mission and flight management systems for military aircraft, Moreover, the products of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) also power generation, distribution, and conversion for military aircraft and vessels, aerostructures for military aircraft, gears and other transmission components for military aircraft and vessels, and non-explosive components and parts for weapons systems
1. Airbus Group (EPA: AIR)
Airbus Group (EPA: AIR) brought in $86.4 billion in sales in 2020, making it the first in the list of 20 largest defense contractors in the world. The company’s most recognizable military product is the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet, a collaboration between the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain. There are 546 jets Eurofighters in operation today. Airbus’s registered headquarters is in Leiden, Netherlands, but its head office is located in Toulouse, France.
As of 2019, Airbus (EPA: AIR) is the world’s largest airliner manufacturer and took the most airliner orders, surpassing rival Boeing. It designs, manufactures and sells civil and military aerospace products worldwide and manufactures aircraft in the European Union and various other countries. The company has three divisions: Commercial Aircraft (Airbus S.A.S.), Defense and Space, and Helicopters, the third being the largest in its industry in terms of revenues and turbine helicopter deliveries. The company has its production and manufacturing facilities mostly in Europe (France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom) but also in China, the United States and Canada. Final assembly production is based in Toulouse, France; Hamburg, Germany; Seville, Spain; Tianjin, China; Mobile, United States; and Montreal, Canada.
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