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
- 27
- Avg. Expense Ratio
- 0.61%
- Avg. Dividend Yield
- 0.77%
- Avg. 1 Year Return
- 27.20%
- Median Risk/Return Score
- 35 / 100
The Best Aerospace & Defense ETFs
27 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truth Social American Security & Defense ETF | Aerospace & Defense | Dec 30, 2025 | 0.65% | 25.24% | — | 0.09% | — | ||||||||
| Procure Space ETF | Global Equities, Aerospace & Defense | Apr 11, 2019 | 0.75% | 23.23% | — | 0.31% | 44 | ||||||||
| U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF | Aerospace & Defense | Dec 30, 2024 | 0.60% | — | — | 0.00% | — | ||||||||
| WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund | Aerospace & Defense | Sep 10, 2025 | 0.45% | 9.42% | — | 0.12% | — | ||||||||
| WisdomTree Global Defense Fund | Aerospace & Defense | Sep 10, 2025 | 0.45% | 9.26% | — | 0.05% | — | ||||||||
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | Aerospace & Defense, Industrials Equities | Sep 28, 2011 | 0.35% | 17.01% | 17.90% | 0.29% | 39 | ||||||||
| Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF | Aerospace & Defense | Feb 19, 2026 | 0.35% | — | — | 1.35% | — |
Best Aerospace & Defense ETFs by Risk/Return Score
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs by PortfoliosLab Risk/Return Score are FOWF (61) and GCAD (61).
The score measures risk-adjusted performance over the past year, accounting for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 61 | 15.26M | Dec 2024 | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 61 | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | |
| Procure Space ETF | 44 | 1.12B | Apr 2019 | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 43 | 8.26B | Oct 2005 | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 42 | 14.10B | May 2006 |
Best-Performing Aerospace & Defense ETFs Over 5 Years
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs is DFEN (37.39%).
Across the lineup, Aerospace & Defense ETFs show an average 1-year return of 27.20% and an average 5-year return of 19.62%, providing a clearer view of performance across different investment horizons.
| Symbol | Name | Return 5Y | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares | 37.39% | 375.87M | May 2017 | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 20.83% | 8.26B | Oct 2005 | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 19.40% | 14.10B | May 2006 | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 18.48% | 5.95B | Sep 2011 | |
| Procure Space ETF | 11.47% | 1.12B | Apr 2019 |
Lowest-Cost Aerospace & Defense ETFs
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs is XDEF (0.35%).
With an average expense ratio of 0.61%, 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% | 4.48M | Feb 2026 | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 0.35% | — | Oct 2024 | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.35% | 5.95B | Sep 2011 | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.38% | 14.10B | May 2006 | |
| WisdomTree Global Defense Fund | 0.45% | 5.46M | Sep 2025 |
Highest-Yield Aerospace & Defense ETFs
The top Aerospace & Defense ETFs is KDEF (7.06%).
Across the lineup, Aerospace & Defense ETFs show an average dividend yield of 0.77%, offering investors a steady stream of income through regular dividend payments, making them attractive for income-seeking portfolios.
| Symbol | Name | Dividend Yield | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF | 7.06% | 59.99M | Feb 2025 | |
| Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares | 6.59% | 375.87M | May 2017 | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 1.68% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | |
| Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF | 1.35% | 4.48M | Feb 2026 | |
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 0.70% | 15.26M | Dec 2024 |
Top ETFs Categories
Europe Equities · 591 ETFsGlobal Equities · 585 ETFsLeveraged Equities · 558 ETFsDerivative Income · 522 ETFsLarge Cap Blend Equities · 452 ETFsAsia Pacific Equities · 449 ETFsTechnology Equities · 422 ETFsDefined Outcome · 345 ETFsEmerging Markets Equities · 341 ETFsDividend · 313 ETFsS&P 500 · 308 ETFsCorporate Bonds · 301 ETFsGovernment Bonds · 259 ETFsForeign Large Cap Equities · 250 ETFsLarge Cap Growth Equities · 244 ETFsEnergy Equities · 211 ETFsESG · 208 ETFsLarge Cap Value Equities · 207 ETFsHigh Yield Bonds · 206 ETFsOptions Trading · 203 ETFsCryptocurrency · 202 ETFsActively Managed · 201 ETFsQuality Factor · 180 ETFsPrecious Metals · 165 ETFsHealth & Biotech Equities · 154 ETFsMunicipal Bonds · 150 ETFsREIT · 149 ETFsJapan Equities · 144 ETFsFinancials Equities · 138 ETFsEuropean Government Bonds · 137 ETFs
Top ETFs Comparisons
Compare the top ETFs symbols based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
SHLD vs. IDEFSHLD vs. XAD.TOSHLD vs. SPYSHLD vs. NATO.LSHLD vs. VOOITA vs. VOOITA vs. FSDAXITA vs. XLIITA vs. DFND.ASITA vs. DFEN.DEXAR vs. VOOXAR vs. FSDAXXAR vs. ROKTXAR vs. LMTXAR vs. IDEFPPA vs. SPYPPA vs. FSDAXPPA vs. QQQPPA vs. DFNS.LPPA vs. MISLARKX vs. ARKKARKX vs. ROKTARKX vs. DXYZARKX vs. JEDI.DEARKX vs. VOOEUAD vs. WDEF.LEUAD vs. NATO.LEUAD vs. VXUSEUAD vs. AUMIEUAD vs. DUSAUFO vs. ROKTUFO vs. RKLBUFO vs. RCKTUFO vs. JEDI.DEUFO vs. SMHDFEN vs. SOXLDFEN vs. SPXLDFEN vs. VOODFEN vs. EUDF.DEDFEN vs. TECLJEDI vs. DRNZJEDI vs. ROKTJEDI vs. ARKQJEDI vs. WARPJEDI vs. SMHNATO vs. NATO.LNATO vs. ASWC.DENATO vs. SPYNATO vs. VOONATO vs. WDEF.L
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