Global Defense Spending Soars to $3 Trillion Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 27 2026
0mins
Should l Buy ONDS?
Source: stocktwits
- Defense Spending Surge: Oppenheimer estimates that global defense expenditures have reached approximately $3 trillion, reflecting a 50% increase over the past five years, with projections suggesting this figure could double within the next decade due to escalating geopolitical tensions driving military budgets.
- Drone Market Potential: The firm forecasts that the total addressable market for drones could expand from $45 billion today to $400 billion globally, encompassing hardware, services, AI, and related software, indicating the rapid growth potential of drones in modern warfare and commercial markets.
- Ondas Holdings Standout: Analyst Timothy Horan highlighted Ondas Holdings Inc. (ONDS) as a preferred investment within the rapidly expanding lower-skies segment, focusing on AI-enabled aerial security and infrastructure monitoring, with its stock gaining over 925% in the past 12 months.
- Complementary Satellite Operators: Horan also pointed to satellite operators BlackSky Technology Inc. (BKSY) and Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM) as complementary plays, emphasizing their roles in providing real-time imagery and secure connectivity for unmanned systems, further driving growth in the drone market.
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Analyst Views on ONDS
Wall Street analysts forecast ONDS stock price to rise
8 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 9.490
Low
13.00
Averages
17.50
High
25.00
Current: 9.490
Low
13.00
Averages
17.50
High
25.00
About ONDS
Ondas Inc. is a provider of autonomous systems, robotics, and mission-critical connectivity solutions for defense, security, and industrial markets. Through its business units, Ondas Autonomous Systems (OAS), Ondas Capital and Ondas Networks, it develops and deploys integrated technologies that deliver advanced sensing, mobility, and communications capabilities. OAS delivers a portfolio of artificial-intelligence (AI)-powered defense and security platforms to protect sensitive sites, populations, and critical infrastructure. OAS also provides an integrated suite of autonomous aerial, ground, and counter-UAS solutions through its operating companies. It also provides Airborne Missile Protection Systems (AMPS) and airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions for the military, government and others. It also specializes in the procurement, integration, and lifecycle support of heavy engineering equipment for military and national infrastructure programs.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Merger Completion: Ondas recently completed its $175 million merger with Mistral, adding $264 million in contracted backlog and lifting Ondas' total backlog to $457 million, significantly strengthening the company's market position and future growth potential.
- Market Reaction: Shares of Ondas Holdings, Inc. (ONDS) rose nearly 1% post-merger and recorded a 16% increase in April, reflecting strong market confidence in its newly merged defense unit, Mistral, which is expected to drive further development in the defense sector.
- Technology Showcase: Mistral will showcase its battlefield drone technology at the 2026 Modern Day Marine symposium, aiming to engage with military operators and defense contractors to promote the application of its autonomous systems in U.S. defense programs, thereby enhancing the company's industry influence.
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- Technological Innovation Advantage: xCalibre™ employs intelligent selective analysis to provide deep insights in critical scenarios, avoiding the inefficiencies of traditional video analytics, thereby enhancing its application potential in perimeter security and infrastructure monitoring, which offers a significant competitive edge in the market.
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- Contract Signing: Earlier this week, Mistral secured a contract to deliver THOR tactical drone systems to the U.S. Army’s Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Product Office, marking a significant expansion in the military drone sector and expected to enhance its competitiveness in the defense market.
- Merger Completion: Ondas recently completed its $175 million merger with Mistral, adding $264 million in contracted backlog and lifting Ondas' total backlog to $457 million, significantly strengthening the company's market position and future growth potential.
- Market Reaction: Shares of Ondas Holdings, Inc. (ONDS) rose nearly 1% post-merger and recorded a 16% increase in April, reflecting strong market confidence in its newly merged defense unit, Mistral, which is expected to drive further development in the defense sector.
- Technology Showcase: Mistral will showcase its battlefield drone technology at the 2026 Modern Day Marine symposium, aiming to engage with military operators and defense contractors to promote the application of its autonomous systems in U.S. defense programs, thereby enhancing the company's industry influence.
See More
VisionWave Holdings Files Patent for Advanced Video Intelligence Technology
- Patent Filing Progress: VisionWave Holdings filed a provisional patent for its xCalibre™ visual intelligence platform on April 24, 2026, aiming to convert camera streams into structured sensor intelligence, which is expected to significantly enhance decision-making capabilities in security monitoring and impact the defense and security markets.
- Massive Market Potential: The U.S. defense budget reached approximately $1 trillion in FY2026, with the military AI video surveillance market projected to grow from $655 million in 2024 to around $3 billion by 2030, indicating a strong demand for intelligent video analytics technology.
- Technological Innovation Advantage: xCalibre™ employs intelligent selective analysis to provide deep insights in critical scenarios, avoiding the inefficiencies of traditional video analytics, thereby enhancing its application potential in perimeter security and infrastructure monitoring, which offers a significant competitive edge in the market.
- Industry Trend Analysis: In defense procurement, funding is increasingly directed towards the intelligence layer rather than just hardware, and VisionWave's patent filing aligns with this trend, indicating the company's strategy to establish technological barriers in the rapidly evolving unmanned systems market.
See More
VisionWave Holdings Files Patent for Advanced Video Intelligence Technology
- Patent Filing Progress: VisionWave Holdings filed a provisional patent for its xCalibre™ visual intelligence platform on April 24, 2026, aiming to convert camera streams into structured sensor intelligence, significantly enhancing decision-making efficiency, particularly in defense and security sectors.
- Massive Market Potential: The FY2026 U.S. defense budget approaches $1 trillion, with the military AI video surveillance market projected to reach approximately $3 billion by 2030, positioning VisionWave's technology to meet the demands of this rapidly growing market.
- Intelligent Analysis Capability: xCalibre™ employs selective analysis to provide structured intelligence in critical scenarios, such as object classification, identity hypotheses, and threat scoring, thereby significantly improving monitoring and response efficiency to meet modern security needs.
- Intensifying Industry Competition: In the defense procurement landscape, VisionWave's technology differentiates itself from other hardware suppliers, and as the demand for intelligent analysis rises, companies with core technologies will gain a competitive edge in the market.
See More
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- Significant Revenue Growth: ZenaTech achieved a record revenue of CAD 12.9 million in 2025, reflecting a remarkable 558% year-over-year increase, primarily driven by the successful execution of its Drone as a Service (DaaS) strategy, positioning the company as a key player in the rapidly growing market.
- Substantial Asset Increase: The company's total assets surged from CAD 34.6 million to CAD 99.8 million, marking a 188% increase, which underscores its strong momentum in expanding business and market share, thereby enhancing financial stability.
- Successful Acquisition Strategy: In 2025, ZenaTech completed 20 acquisitions, including 19 land surveying and inspection companies, significantly strengthening its global footprint in the DaaS sector and enhancing competitive positioning in the market.
- New Product Launches: The company introduced several new products, including the IQ Quad designed for land surveys and the IQ Aqua for underwater monitoring, further diversifying its product line and addressing the market's demand for efficient drone solutions.
See More
Drone as a Service Market Experiences Rapid Growth
- Market Growth Surge: The Drone as a Service (DaaS) market is currently valued at approximately $6 to $8 billion and is projected to surge to between $27 billion and over $179 billion by 2030, indicating strong long-term growth potential that is attracting significant business interest and investment.
- ZenaTech Financial Performance: ZenaTech reported a remarkable 558% year-over-year revenue growth, reaching CAD 12.9 million in 2025, driven by the successful expansion of its DaaS business and 20 acquisitions, resulting in total assets increasing by 188% to CAD 99.8 million.
- Wide Industry Applications: DaaS is widely utilized across various sectors such as construction, agriculture, energy, and logistics, enabling companies to conduct surveying and monitoring with drones, which not only reduces operational costs but also enhances data accuracy and decision-making efficiency, making it a high-ROI solution.
- Defense and Public Safety Demand: The application of DaaS in defense and public safety is increasing, with military and public safety agencies leveraging drones for surveillance and disaster response, and the rapid deployment capabilities provide a competitive edge in dynamic environments, further driving market expansion.
See More
Jim Cramer's Insights on Multiple Stocks
- Stock Selection Strategy: Jim Cramer emphasizes his reluctance to buy heavily shorted stocks, as they typically lack earnings, and he would only consider investing if they have life-saving potential, reflecting his cautious approach to risk.
- Ondas Evaluation: Cramer points out that Ondas is a company with significant losses focused on intelligent or autonomous systems, but he sees a lack of distinctiveness, indicating his preference for innovation in investment choices.
- Halliburton's Investment Potential: Cramer praises Halliburton for its strong performance even in a bad oil market, asserting that it has been a great stock in favorable conditions, highlighting its resilience and investment value in the energy sector.
- Nokia's Technological Edge: Cramer expresses optimism about Nokia, noting its strong technological capabilities, and despite past volatility, its comeback suggests market recognition of its technology, hinting at potential future growth.
See More
