The world’s top 100 arms-producing and military services companies recorded a combined revenue of $679 billion in 2024, marking the highest level on record. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), revenues rose 5.9 percent year on year, driven largely by firms in Europe and the United States.
U.S. companies led the pack: 39 firms delivered $334 billion in arms sales, nearly half of the global total, up 3.8 percent from 2023. Notably, SpaceX entered the Top 100 for the first time, doubling its arms-related revenue to $1.8 billion in 2024.
SIPRI attributes this surge to sustained geopolitical tensions. The Russia–Ukraine conflict, the Israel–Palestine crisis and broader military buildups worldwide have fueled demand, pushing defence budgets to new heights.
Founded in 1966, SIPRI has tracked arms control and disarmament trends for decades. Its latest report, released on Monday, December 1, 2025, offers a data-driven snapshot of how modern conflicts and strategic competition continue to reshape the global defence industry.
For young global citizens and tech enthusiasts alike, these figures highlight the intersection of advanced innovation and international security. As emerging technologies from space launchers to autonomous systems enter the arms market, transparency and ethical oversight remain key challenges for policymakers and changemakers.
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U.S. firms account for nearly half of global arms revenue in 2024
cgtn.com
