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
- 23
- Avg. Expense Ratio
- 0.58%
- Avg. Dividend Yield
- 0.91%
- Avg. 1 Year Return
- 37.65%
- Median Risk/Return Score
- 42 / 100
The Best Aerospace & Defense ETFs
23 results
Best Aerospace & Defense ETFs by Risk/Return Score
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs by PortfoliosLab Risk/Return Score are UFO (66) and GCAD (63).
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 | 66 | 1.12B | Apr 2019 | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 63 | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | |
| ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF | 50 | 717.30M | Mar 2021 | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 49 | 7.23B | Sep 2011 | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 45 | 14.21B | May 2006 |
Best-Performing Aerospace & Defense ETFs Over 5 Years
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs is DFEN (33.49%).
Across the lineup, Aerospace & Defense ETFs show an average 1-year return of 37.65% and an average 5-year return of 18.77%, providing a clearer view of performance across different investment horizons.
| Symbol | Name | Return 5Y | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares | 33.49% | 427.18M | May 2017 | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 19.39% | 8.26B | Oct 2005 | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 18.12% | 14.21B | May 2006 | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 17.58% | 7.23B | Sep 2011 | |
| Procure Space ETF | 12.88% | 1.12B | Apr 2019 |
Lowest-Cost Aerospace & Defense ETFs
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs is XDEF (0.35%).
With an average expense ratio of 0.58%, 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% | 4.28M | Feb 2026 | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.35% | 7.23B | Sep 2011 | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 0.35% | — | Oct 2024 | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.38% | 14.21B | May 2006 | |
| WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund | 0.45% | 24.36M | Sep 2025 |
Highest-Yield Aerospace & Defense ETFs
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs is DFEN (7.38%).
Across the lineup, Aerospace & Defense ETFs show an average dividend yield of 0.91%, 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 | 7.38% | 427.18M | May 2017 | |
| PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF | 6.16% | 59.99M | Feb 2025 | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 1.71% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | |
| Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF | 1.50% | 4.28M | Feb 2026 | |
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 0.77% | 15.15M | Dec 2024 |
Top ETFs Categories
Leveraged Equities · 529 ETFsEurope Equities · 513 ETFsGlobal Equities · 456 ETFsDerivative Income · 445 ETFsLarge Cap Blend Equities · 442 ETFsTechnology Equities · 379 ETFsDefined Outcome · 330 ETFsS&P 500 · 279 ETFsLarge Cap Growth Equities · 233 ETFsDividend · 214 ETFsEmerging Markets Equities · 211 ETFsForeign Large Cap Equities · 208 ETFsCorporate Bonds · 198 ETFsAsia Pacific Equities · 187 ETFsLarge Cap Value Equities · 177 ETFsGovernment Bonds · 173 ETFsCryptocurrency · 171 ETFsHigh Yield Bonds · 167 ETFsOptions Trading · 164 ETFsPrecious Metals · 158 ETFsMunicipal Bonds · 150 ETFsEnergy Equities · 142 ETFsHealth & Biotech Equities · 135 ETFsREIT · 130 ETFsNasdaq-100 · 129 ETFsDiversified Portfolio · 119 ETFsFinancials Equities · 116 ETFsChina Equities · 114 ETFsEuropean Government Bonds · 114 ETFsJapan Equities · 114 ETFs
Top ETFs Comparisons
Compare the top ETFs symbols based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
SHLD vs. XAD.TOSHLD vs. SPYSHLD vs. NATO.LSHLD vs. VOOSHLD vs. MISLITA vs. VOOITA vs. FSDAXITA vs. XLIITA vs. DFND.ASITA vs. DFEN.DEXAR vs. VOOXAR vs. FSDAXXAR vs. ROKTXAR vs. LMTXAR vs. GDPPA vs. SPYPPA vs. FSDAXPPA vs. DFNS.LPPA vs. QQQPPA vs. MISLARKX vs. ARKKARKX vs. ROKTARKX vs. DXYZARKX vs. JEDI.DEARKX vs. VOOEUAD vs. NATO.LEUAD vs. WDEF.LEUAD vs. VXUSEUAD vs. AUMIEUAD vs. DUSAUFO vs. ROKTUFO vs. JEDIUFO vs. RKLBUFO vs. RCKTUFO vs. JEDI.DEDFEN vs. SOXLDFEN vs. VOODFEN vs. SPXLDFEN vs. EUDF.DEDFEN vs. TECLNATO vs. NATO.LNATO vs. ASWC.DENATO vs. SPYNATO vs. VOONATO vs. WDEF.LIDEF vs. MQQQIDEF vs. XLIIDEF vs. FSDAXIDEF vs. BALIIDEF vs. WAR
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