Below is a detailed war stocks list. It includes various large-cap companies. The defense industry constantly evolves and introduces new weaponry, including combat vehicles, ships, and fighter jets. Companies in the defense sector are specialized and offer a wide range of products for the US government, foreign governments, and law enforcement agencies.
Defense stocks can be a safe investment regarding their long-term revenue growth and demand, making them a good investment option for investors looking for stability. Here are the best war stocks you can invest in as an investor.
Best War Stocks 2026
| Symbol | Name |
|---|---|
| BA | Boeing |
| CW | Curtiss-Wright Corp. |
| ERJ | Embraer SA |
| GD | General Dynamics |
| HWM | Howmet Aerospace Inc. |
| JOBY | Joby Aviation Inc. |
| LMT | Lockheed Martin Corp |
| NOC | Northrop Grumman |
| TDG | TransDigm Group Inc. |
| VSAT | Viasat Inc |
Best Defense & Aerospace ETFs
| Symbol | Name |
|---|---|
| ARKX | ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF |
| DFEN | Direxion Daily Aerospace & Defense Bull 3X Shares |
| PPA | Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF |
| ITA | iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF |
| XAR | SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF |
| FITE | SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF |
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ARKX ETF Performance (2026 YTD)
| Year | Performance | 2026 (YTD) | +6.1% |
|---|---|
| 2025 | +27.3% |
| 2024 | +15.8% |
| 2023 | +24.7% |
| 2022 | -31.5% |
War Stocks Breakdown
Regarding war stocks, we want to find the best ones to invest in. Hopefully, it’s not because we’re in a war. However, if you pay any attention to Congress, then you know they’re pro-war. Why? Because war is profitable. And the stocks we’re about to take a look at benefit from war.
But just because they’re defense stocks doesn’t mean that’s the only purpose they serve. They’re branching out into different things, like space, for example. So, it’s a new and exciting frontier that could have a lucrative future.
Boeing (NYSE: $BA)
Boeing BA is known for its commercial jets, and its defense and space programs accounted for $7.2 billion in the first quarter. They have legacy fleets of fighter aircraft like the F/A-18 and the F-15 that remain in production. Boeing has updated its work.
Boeing recently received the first order for a $23 billion contract to build its F-15 EX fighters. The company is also making heavy investments in space, and its defense business has also branched out to autonomous submarines and other products.
Boeing has also been investing heavily in space and building the Crew Space International Transportation-100 Starliner. This will ferry astronauts to the International Space Station and the massive space launch system.
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: $LMT)
Lockheed Martin is engaged in developing advanced technology systems that include missile systems. And it’s also the primary contractor for F-35 fighter jets. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is the world’s most expensive airplane. The company also has an impressive backlog, which is worth 2.2 times the company’s sales projections.
In the coming years, Lockheed’s focus on hypersonics, developing a sixth-generation fighter jet, and classified strategic and missile defense projects can aid the company’s growth and expansion.
Maxar Technologies (NYSE: $MAXR)
Maxar Technologies provides its clients with satellite communication services. The company provides satellite communication services, offering ground and space infrastructure, including designing and manufacturing satellites and spacecraft components for communications.
From an investor’s point of view, the future growth of Maxar is very bright as the US Department of State considers space a national security priority. They’re intent on accelerating the program.
Defense Stocks in War
Northrop Grumman (NYSE: $NOC)
Northrop Grumman is one of the world’s leading weapons and military technology producers. They’re a global security company that provides services and security systems to aerospace clients.
The company has an extensive space portfolio closely tied to the nuclear triad, hence why they’re on our war stocks list.
The government plans to buy 80 to 100 planes to replace the Cold War-era planes. Northrop is also a contractor for the Air Force’s ground-based strategic deterrent.
The program is valued at $100 billion. This means that the return on investment for this stock is high. Northrop is a combination of a best-in-class national security portfolio. And it also has the capacity for aggressive share buybacks.
General Dynamics (NYSE: $GD)
General Dynamics produces a wider range of vehicles and systems for the US Military. The company is one of the best shipbuilding defense stocks.
The company is a top provider of land weapons systems. And the company’s Gulfstream business jets lead the aerospace segment. Once General Dynamics’ business jet, known as Gulfstream G700, goes into business, the aerospace margin for the company will improve.
Viasat Inc (NASDAQ: $VSAT)
Viasat is a global communication company providing broadband digital satellite communications and other wireless networking services. It also offers network control systems and information distribution systems.
Viasat provides its clients high-speed satellite broadband services and secure networking systems covering military and commercial markets.
Investors will be happy to know that ViaSat has also secured licenses to provide high-quality satellite internet connectivity to Nigerian communities.
The company has demonstrated a continued top-line performance and has significant expansion plans, meaning it is a secure stock to invest in.
VSAT revenues have also increased over time from $1.6 billion in 2017 to $2.3 billion in 2020 due to overall growth in revenue across segments.
Since late 2020, the company has given weak quarterly results, but it’s also shown a continual improvement in demand. Once the COVID outbreak is in control, this stock has the potential to show significant gains.
Final Thoughts on War Stocks
The war stock sector is considered a secure investment place because of massive governmental investment. However, the government has budgetary limits to follow. Therefore, checking the budgets annually is important if you are considering investing. Defense stock growth tends to be highly influenced by the current situation. And they’re mildly affected by who’s occupying the white house. On an individual level, it’s always best to keep a couple of metrics in mind. The book-to-bill ratio, along with corporate backlogs, is an important metric to look for in a particular company.
A developing company should have a book-to-bill ratio of at least 1.0, which means that future orders should be made at a rate that equals or exceeds what is being shipped and produced today. Defense stocks are best suited for income-oriented investors with consistent growth and rising dividends rather than immense valuation increases. Please do not trade any of the securities on this war stocks list unless you know how to trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Defense contractors like Lockheed Martin or companies like Boeing are great war stocks to consider.
Arms makers and defense contractors are stocks that see a big spike when a war begins or is threatened.
These are stocks that benefit from wartime. When military spending goes up, and geopolitical conflict causes heightened security.
Lockheed Martin, RTX Corporation, and Northrop Grumman are the top three defense companies. Boeing would be an honerable mention or tied for third.
