PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) belongs to the Aerospace & Defense category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with KDEF. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to KDEF
KDEF charges 0.65% annually. There are 13 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.35%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 0.35% | — | Oct 2024 | KDEF vs NATO | |
| Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF | 0.35% | 4.28M | Feb 2026 | KDEF vs XDEF | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.35% | 7.23B | Sep 2011 | KDEF vs XAR | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.38% | 14.21B | May 2006 | KDEF vs ITA | |
| WisdomTree Global Defense Fund | 0.45% | 5.54M | Sep 2025 | KDEF vs WDGF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to KDEF
KDEF has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 10. There are 11 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 57.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 57 | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | KDEF vs GCAD | |
| Procure Space ETF | 54 | 1.12B | Apr 2019 | KDEF vs UFO | |
| ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF | 40 | 717.30M | Mar 2021 | KDEF vs ARKX | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 40 | 7.23B | Sep 2011 | KDEF vs XAR | |
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 39 | 15.15M | Dec 2024 | KDEF vs FOWF |
Top Performing KDEF Alternatives (YTD)
KDEF is at -2.88% YTD. There are 15 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 24.53%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procure Space ETF | 24.53% | 1.12B | Apr 2019 | KDEF vs UFO | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 17.90% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | KDEF vs GCAD | |
| Defiance Drone & Modern Warfare ETF | 16.35% | 173.78M | Sep 2025 | KDEF vs JEDI | |
| Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares | 15.64% | 427.18M | May 2017 | KDEF vs DFEN | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 14.20% | 7.23B | Sep 2011 | KDEF vs XAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to KDEF
KDEF has 47.49% 1-year volatility. There are 13 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 14.45%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 14.45% | 15.15M | Dec 2024 | KDEF vs FOWF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 20.15% | 8.26B | Oct 2005 | KDEF vs PPA | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 20.36% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | KDEF vs GCAD | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 21.46% | — | Oct 2024 | KDEF vs NATO | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 21.90% | 14.21B | May 2006 | KDEF vs ITA |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to KDEF
KDEF has a 1-year max drawdown of -35.55%. There are 11 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -10.08%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | -10.08% | 15.15M | Dec 2024 | KDEF vs FOWF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | -13.71% | 8.26B | Oct 2005 | KDEF vs PPA | |
| iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF | -14.78% | 4.08B | May 2025 | KDEF vs IDEF | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | -14.96% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | KDEF vs GCAD | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | -15.82% | 14.21B | May 2006 | KDEF vs ITA |
Often Compared With KDEF
Investors most often compare KDEF with EWY, SHLD.TO, WAR. These 20 comparison targets span 7 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare KDEF with Any Fund or Stock
Compare KDEF with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair KDEF with funds that move differently
PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to KDEF.
Explore KDEF Diversifiers