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
- 0.84%
- Avg. 1 Year Return
- 38.31%
- Median Risk/Return Score
- 45 / 100
The Best Aerospace & Defense ETFs
23 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Global Defense Fund | Aerospace & Defense | Sep 10, 2025 | 0.45% | 4.32% | — | 0.05% | — | ||||||||
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | Aerospace & Defense, Industrials Equities | Sep 28, 2011 | 0.35% | 17.27% | 18.51% | 0.31% | 50 | ||||||||
| Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF | Aerospace & Defense | Feb 19, 2026 | 0.35% | — | — | 0.00% | — |
Best Aerospace & Defense ETFs by Risk/Return Score
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs by PortfoliosLab Risk/Return Score are UFO (80) and GCAD (62).
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 | 80 | 1.12B | Apr 2019 | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 62 | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | |
| ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF | 57 | 717.30M | Mar 2021 | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 50 | 6.31B | Sep 2011 | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 45 | 8.20B | Oct 2005 |
Best-Performing Aerospace & Defense ETFs Over 5 Years
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs is DFEN (30.97%).
Across the lineup, Aerospace & Defense ETFs show an average 1-year return of 38.31% and an average 5-year return of 18.17%, providing a clearer view of performance across different investment horizons.
| Symbol | Name | Return 5Y | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares | 30.97% | 371.13M | May 2017 | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 18.86% | 8.20B | Oct 2005 | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 17.41% | 13.82B | May 2006 | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 16.88% | 6.31B | Sep 2011 | |
| Procure Space ETF | 13.43% | 1.12B | Apr 2019 |
Lowest-Cost Aerospace & Defense ETFs
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs is NATO (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 0.35% | — | Oct 2024 | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.35% | 6.31B | Sep 2011 | |
| Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF | 0.35% | 4.36M | Feb 2026 | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.38% | 13.82B | May 2006 | |
| WisdomTree Global Defense Fund | 0.45% | 11.79M | Sep 2025 |
Highest-Yield Aerospace & Defense ETFs
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs is DFEN (7.56%).
Across the lineup, Aerospace & Defense ETFs show an average dividend yield of 0.84%, 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 | 7.56% | 371.13M | May 2017 | |
| PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF | 5.99% | 59.99M | Feb 2025 | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 1.71% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | |
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 0.75% | 15.15M | Dec 2024 | |
| Global X Defense Tech ETF | 0.56% | 7.61B | Sep 2023 |
Top ETFs Categories
Leveraged Equities · 527 ETFsEurope Equities · 513 ETFsGlobal Equities · 453 ETFsDerivative Income · 438 ETFsLarge Cap Blend Equities · 438 ETFsTechnology Equities · 379 ETFsDefined Outcome · 330 ETFsS&P 500 · 279 ETFsLarge Cap Growth Equities · 240 ETFsDividend · 214 ETFsEmerging Markets Equities · 211 ETFsForeign Large Cap Equities · 206 ETFsCorporate Bonds · 196 ETFsAsia Pacific Equities · 187 ETFsCryptocurrency · 178 ETFsGovernment Bonds · 174 ETFsLarge Cap Value Equities · 174 ETFsHigh Yield Bonds · 167 ETFsOptions Trading · 161 ETFsPrecious Metals · 161 ETFsMunicipal Bonds · 150 ETFsEnergy Equities · 144 ETFsHealth & Biotech Equities · 135 ETFsNasdaq-100 · 129 ETFsREIT · 129 ETFsDiversified Portfolio · 118 ETFsFinancials Equities · 115 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