NATO Is Taking Up Arms. These ETFs Stand to Gain.
Increased Defense Spending: The ongoing war in Ukraine has prompted Western countries, particularly NATO members, to significantly increase their military spending, with experts predicting this trend will continue as nations aim to fulfill defense obligations and restock munitions.
Investment Opportunities: Investors are encouraged to consider defense-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track stocks of military contractors, as global military spending reached $2.4 trillion last year, with the U.S. leading in expenditures.
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- Physical Goods Surge: This year has seen a significant increase in the production and sales of physical goods.
- AI-Disruptible Services Lag: Companies focused on AI-disruptible services and software are not keeping pace with those producing tangible products.
- Production Capacity Boost: L3Harris has commenced high-volume production of its Vampire counter-drone system at a new facility in Huntsville, Alabama, aimed at meeting the growing demand for drone defenses from the U.S. and allied governments, thereby enhancing its competitive position in the defense market.
- Multi-Platform Adaptability: The production line supports assembly, testing, and installation of the system across various platforms, including ground vehicles and container configurations, allowing the company to flexibly adjust output based on demand, which further enhances its market responsiveness.
- Combat Application Expansion: Since 2023, the Vampire system has been deployed in European combat operations specifically to detect and engage small drones, reflecting defense contractors' strategies to address the increasing use of low-cost unmanned aircraft in modern conflicts.
- Technology Integration and Investment: L3Harris has expanded the Vampire platform in recent years to include versions tailored for land, maritime, and air operations, as well as electronic warfare applications, indicating the company's ongoing investment in counter-drone capabilities to respond to evolving battlefield threats.
- Market Shift: Sion Power is transitioning from electric vehicle battery production to the defense sector, expecting to commercialize high-energy lithium-metal batteries later this year in response to rising U.S. drone demand, demonstrating the company's adaptability to market changes.
- Technological Advantage: The newly developed 'Licerion HE' lithium-metal battery cells boast energy densities exceeding 500 watt-hours per kilogram, significantly higher than the 300-350 Wh/kg of current lithium-ion batteries, making them suitable for drones and other critical platforms, enhancing competitiveness in the defense market.
- Production Capacity Enhancement: Sion Power's 110,000-square-foot facility in Arizona is being repurposed to focus on defense product manufacturing, with plans to convert production lines to meet the growing defense demand, further solidifying its market position.
- Investment and Funding: The company has raised over $200 million for lithium-metal cell development, with investors including LG Energy Solution, and plans to launch new products between the second half of 2026 and into 2027, indicating strong market prospects and growth potential.
Recent Tragedy: A tragic accident at LaGuardia airport resulted in the deaths of two pilots.
Air Traffic Control Scrutiny: The incident is expected to bring renewed attention to U.S. Air Traffic Control systems and their effectiveness.

Trump's Statement on U.S.-Iran Relations: President Donald Trump indicated that discussions have taken place between the U.S. and Iran regarding the potential end of their conflict.
Impact on Defense Stocks: Despite the talks, there has been no positive effect on defense stocks, including major companies like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, and L3Harris Technologies.
- Scale of Arms Sales: The Trump administration is advancing approximately $23 billion in arms sales to the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan, aimed at bolstering their defenses amid escalating Middle East conflicts, highlighting U.S. commitment to regional security.
- Investment in Air Defense: Over $16 billion of the deal is allocated for air-defense systems, munitions, and radar equipment, enhancing the military capabilities of these nations and improving interoperability with U.S. Joint Forces and other regional forces.
- Emergency Clause Utilization: The U.S. government invoked the emergency clause of arms control law for some transactions, allowing them to proceed without the standard 30-day congressional review, reflecting an urgent need to address regional security threats.
- Future Threat Preparedness: The arms sales not only enhance the Gulf nations' capabilities to meet current and future threats but also include $5.6 billion worth of Patriot PAC-3 missiles and approximately $1.32 billion in CH-47 helicopters, further solidifying U.S. strategic influence in the region.









