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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.35% | 6.22B | Sep 2011 | XDEF vs XAR | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 0.35% | — | Oct 2024 | XDEF vs NATO | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 0.38% | 14.23B | May 2006 | XDEF vs ITA | |
| U.S. Defense ETF | 0.45% | 2.95M | Apr 2026 | XDEF vs DUTY | |
| WisdomTree Global Defense Fund | 0.45% | 5.37M | Sep 2025 | XDEF vs WDGF |
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 47.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 47 | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | XDEF vs GCAD | |
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 34 | 15.56M | Dec 2024 | XDEF vs FOWF | |
| Procure Space ETF | 34 | 1.12B | Apr 2019 | XDEF vs UFO | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 29 | 14.23B | May 2006 | XDEF vs ITA | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 28 | 8.22B | Oct 2005 | XDEF vs PPA |
Top Performing XDEF Alternatives (YTD)
Among 19 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with YTD return data, the top-performing alternatives shown here go as high as 16.02%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truth Social American Security & Defense ETF | 16.02% | 12.67M | Dec 2025 | XDEF vs TSSD | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 15.30% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | XDEF vs GCAD | |
| Procure Space ETF | 13.16% | 1.12B | Apr 2019 | XDEF vs UFO | |
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 8.60% | 15.56M | Dec 2024 | XDEF vs FOWF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 7.88% | 8.22B | Oct 2005 | XDEF vs PPA |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to XDEF
XDEF has 139.53% 1-year volatility. There are 23 ETFs in the Aerospace & Defense category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 14.60%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacer Solactive Whitney Future of Warfare ETF | 14.60% | 15.56M | Dec 2024 | XDEF vs FOWF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | 20.45% | 8.22B | Oct 2005 | XDEF vs PPA | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | 20.67% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | XDEF vs GCAD | |
| Themes Transatlantic Defense ETF | 21.79% | — | Oct 2024 | XDEF vs NATO | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | 22.11% | 14.23B | 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% | 15.56M | Dec 2024 | XDEF vs FOWF | |
| Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF | -13.71% | 8.22B | Oct 2005 | XDEF vs PPA | |
| Gabelli Commercial Aerospace & Defense ETF | -14.96% | 24.90M | Jan 2023 | XDEF vs GCAD | |
| iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF | -15.69% | 4.11B | May 2025 | XDEF vs IDEF | |
| iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | -15.82% | 14.23B | May 2006 | XDEF vs ITA |
Other ETFs from Xtrackers
The 10 most viewed Xtrackers ETFs shown here include CHPS, XAIX, DBJP and span 12 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $3B.
Often Compared With XDEF
Investors most often compare XDEF with WAR, ARKX, DRNZ. These 20 comparison targets span 11 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