The Best Aerospace & Defense ETFs
The table below compares the performance and other essential indicators like dividend yield and expense ratio of Aerospace & Defense ETFs.
Aerospace & Defense ETFs are exchange-traded funds that invest in companies involved in the aerospace and defense industries. These industries include manufacturers of aircraft, spacecraft, defense systems, and related technologies. Aerospace & Defense ETFs provide investors with a way to gain exposure to companies in these industries without purchasing individual stocks. They may also offer diversification benefits, as the performance of companies in these industries may not be closely correlated with the overall stock market.
- Number of ETFs
- 22
- Avg. Expense Ratio
- 0.57%
- Avg. Dividend Yield
- 0.95%
- Avg. 1 Year Return
- 38.55%
- Median Risk/Return Score
- 32 / 100
The Best Aerospace & Defense ETFs
2 results
| Symbol | Full Name | Category | Inception | Expense Ratio | YTD Return | 10Y Return (Annualized) | Dividend Yield | Risk / Return Rank | Max. Drawdown | Sharpe Ratio | Sortino Ratio | Omega Ratio | Martin Ratio | Calmar Ratio | Ulcer Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global X Defence Tech Index ETF | Aerospace & Defense | Apr 21, 2025 | 0.50% | -1.13% | — | 0.18% | 15 | ||||||||
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense Index ETF | Aerospace & Defense | Sep 6, 2023 | 0.44% | 6.26% | — | 0.33% | 35 |
Best Aerospace & Defense ETFs by Risk/Return Score
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs by PortfoliosLab Risk/Return Score are UFO (88) and ARKX (58).
The score measures risk-adjusted performance over the past year, accounting for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procure Space ETF | 88 | 144.60M | Apr 2019 | |
| ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF | 58 | 717.30M | Mar 2021 | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 52 | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | |
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 52 | 15.67M | Dec 2024 | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 43 | 6.50B | Sep 2011 |
Best-Performing Aerospace & Defense ETFs Over 5 Years
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs is DFEN (26.54%).
Across the lineup, Aerospace & Defense ETFs show an average 1-year return of 38.55% and an average 5-year return of 17.28%, providing a clearer view of performance across different investment horizons.
| Symbol | Name | Return 5Y | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares | 26.54% | 374.27M | May 2017 | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 17.82% | 8.37B | Oct 2005 | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 16.26% | 6.50B | Sep 2011 | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 15.93% | 14.33B | May 2006 | |
| Procure Space ETF | 15.60% | 144.60M | Apr 2019 |
Lowest-Cost Aerospace & Defense ETFs
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs is XDEF (0.35%).
With an average expense ratio of 0.57%, Aerospace & Defense ETFs remain a low-cost option for investors seeking broad market exposure, sector allocations, and diversified portfolio building blocks.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF | 0.35% | 4.61M | Feb 2026 | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.35% | 6.50B | Sep 2011 | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 0.35% | — | Oct 2024 | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.38% | 14.33B | May 2006 | |
| WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund | 0.45% | 23.89M | Sep 2025 |
Highest-Yield Aerospace & Defense ETFs
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs is DFEN (8.74%).
Across the lineup, Aerospace & Defense ETFs show an average dividend yield of 0.95%, offering investors a steady stream of income through regular dividend payments, making them attractive for income-seeking portfolios.
| Symbol | Name | Dividend Yield | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares | 8.74% | 374.27M | May 2017 | |
| PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF | 6.48% | 59.99M | Feb 2025 | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 1.81% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | |
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 0.71% | 15.67M | Dec 2024 | |
| Global X Defense Tech ETF | 0.56% | 7.99B | Sep 2023 |
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Top ETFs Comparisons
Compare the top ETFs symbols based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Risk vs. Return Scatterplot
The Risk vs. Return Scatterplot allows you to quickly compare funds, stocks, and ETFs in one view. It displays the yearly return of an instrument on one axis and the risk (volatility) on the other.
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5 Years