Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF (XDEF) 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 XDEF. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to XDEF
XDEF charges 0.35% annually. No ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category have lower expense ratios; the lowest-cost alternatives shown here go as low as 0.35%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 0.35% | — | Oct 2024 | XDEF vs NATO | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.35% | 7.23B | Sep 2011 | XDEF vs XAR | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.38% | 14.21B | May 2006 | XDEF vs ITA | |
| WisdomTree Global Defense Fund | 0.45% | 5.54M | Sep 2025 | XDEF vs WDGF | |
| WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund | 0.45% | 24.36M | Sep 2025 | XDEF vs WDAF |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to XDEF
Among 13 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with risk / return rank data, the top risk-adjusted alternatives shown here go as high as 57.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 57 | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | XDEF vs GCAD | |
| Procure Space ETF | 54 | 1.12B | Apr 2019 | XDEF vs UFO | |
| ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF | 40 | 717.30M | Mar 2021 | XDEF vs ARKX | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 40 | 7.23B | Sep 2011 | XDEF vs XAR | |
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 39 | 15.15M | Dec 2024 | XDEF vs FOWF |
Top Performing XDEF Alternatives (YTD)
Among 18 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with YTD return data, the top-performing alternatives shown here go as high as 24.53%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Procure Space ETF | 24.53% | 1.12B | Apr 2019 | XDEF vs UFO | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 17.90% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | XDEF vs GCAD | |
| Defiance Drone & Modern Warfare ETF | 16.35% | 173.78M | Sep 2025 | XDEF vs JEDI | |
| Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares | 15.64% | 427.18M | May 2017 | XDEF vs DFEN | |
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 14.20% | 7.23B | Sep 2011 | XDEF vs XAR |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to XDEF
XDEF has 148.20% 1-year volatility. There are 21 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 | XDEF vs FOWF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 20.15% | 8.26B | Oct 2005 | XDEF vs PPA | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 20.36% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | XDEF vs GCAD | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 21.46% | — | Oct 2024 | XDEF vs NATO | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 21.90% | 14.21B | May 2006 | XDEF vs ITA |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to XDEF
Among 13 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go 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 | XDEF vs FOWF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | -13.71% | 8.26B | Oct 2005 | XDEF vs PPA | |
| iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF | -14.78% | 4.08B | May 2025 | XDEF vs IDEF | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | -14.96% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | XDEF vs GCAD | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | -15.82% | 14.21B | May 2006 | XDEF vs ITA |
Other ETFs from Xtrackers
The 10 most viewed Xtrackers ETFs shown here include CHPS, XAIX, DBJP and span 11 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $3B.
Often Compared With XDEF
Investors most often compare XDEF with WAR, DRNZ, USNZ. These 20 comparison targets span 12 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare XDEF with Any Fund or Stock
Compare XDEF with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair XDEF with funds that move differently
Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to XDEF.
Explore XDEF Diversifiers