STOCKHOLM -- The world's biggest weapons-producing companies saw a 5.9% increase in revenue from sales of arms and military services last year as demand was fed by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as countries' rising military spending, according to a report released Monday.The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, or SIPRI, said the revenues of the 100 largest arms makers grew to $679 billion in 2024, the highest figure it has recorded.The bulk of the increase was down to companies based in Europe and the United States, but there were increases around the world — except in Asia and Oceania, where problems in the Chinese arms industry led to a slight fall.Thirty of the 39 U.S.
companies in the top 100 — including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics — posted increases.Their combined revenue was up 3.8% at $334 billion.
But SIPRI noted that “widespread delays and budget overruns continue to plague development and production” in major U.S.-led programs, including the F-35 fighter jet.Twenty-three of the 26 companies in Europe, excluding Russia, saw their arms revenue increase as the continent boosted spending.Their aggregate income rose by 13% to $151 billion, fueled by demand linked to the war in Ukraine and the perceived threat from Russia.
There were notably big gains for the Czech Republic's Czechoslovak Group, whose revenue soared by 193% thanks in part to a government-led project to source artillery shells for Ukraine; and for Ukraine's JSC Ukrainian Defense Industry, which had a 41% gain.Popular ReadsHegseth responds to report that boat survivors were killed on his ordersNov 28, 11:36 PMTrump admin live updates: Trump says Venezuelan airspace should be 'closed'Nov 29, 2:35 PMTeen on cruise ship possibly died by asphyxiation resulting from bar hold: SourceNov 21, 2:20 PMEuropean firms are investing in new production capacity to meet greater demand, but SIPRI researcher Jade Guiberteau Ricard cautioned in a statemen...