Arms and Defense Industry in Europe: Key Players

According to our database (as of May 2024), a total of 2,764 businesses operate in arms and defense manufacturing in Europe. These companies generate EUR 162B in annual sales and employ 1.8M people. The United Kingdom is leading in both the number of companies and total sales, followed closely by France and the Russian Federation.

Our analysis is based on data available in the HitHorizons database. Arms producers were identified using the following SIC Codes: Manufacturing of small arms, ordnance or accessories, small arms ammunition and ammunition-except small arms. We also included companies with other SIC Codes where our research showed that those companies produce arms. In the case of companies that, in addition to arms production, also engage in other activities, we only included sales numbers related to arms production.

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According to the HitHorizons database there are 2,764 businesses producing arms in Europe. The highest number of companies is based in the UK (659 businesses representing 24% of all businesses included in this report), followed by the Russian Federation (260 companies), Germany (214 companies), Italy (208 companies), and France (199 companies). 20 countries have at least 30 companies operating in the arms and defense industry.

Companies operating in the arms and defense industry in Europe generate EUR 162B in sales. The highest annual sales are reported by businesses registered in the UK (EUR 41.3B which represents a 25% share of all sales generated by companies included in this analysis), followed by France (40.5B sales - 25% share), and the Russian Federation (EUR 29.9B - 18% share). Italy was fourth with a share of 11%. These TOP 4 countries generate 79% of all sales within the arms and defense industry in Europe.

The highest average sales in the arms and defense industry are reported by businesses registered in the Netherlands (EUR 290M), France (EUR 203M), and the Russian Federation (EUR 115M). The UK, which has the highest number of companies operating in the arms and defense industry, has average sales of EUR 62.6M.

BAE SYSTEMS PLC (UK) reports the highest sales

BAE SYSTEMS PLC (UK) has the highest sales (EUR 26.9B which represents a 17% share of all sales generated by companies included in this analysis). It is the 3rd largest arms and defense company in the world. BAE Systems provides some of the world's most advanced, technology-led defense, aerospace and security solutions.

ROSTEKH, GK is second with EUR 16.8B in sales (10% share). Russia's military-industrial behemoth incorporates over 700 companies and employs over half a million people. This state-owned corporation oversees the research and development of military technologies and owns several production facilities.

LEONARDO, SPA is third with sales of EUR 12.5B (8% share). Leonardo is a global industrial group that builds technological capabilities in Aerospace, Defense & Security. The company plays a prominent role in major international strategic programs and is a trusted technological partner of governments, defense agencies, institutions and enterprises.

TOP 6 companies generate more than 50% of all sales reported by arms manufacturers covered in our overview. TOP 15 companies generate more than 70% of all sales reported by companies included in this report.

ROSTEKH (Russian Federation) has the highest number of employees

ROSTEKH, GK has the highest number of employees among all companies included in our analysis (589,200 people - 32% share). AIRBUS is second with 147,893 employees (8% share). Thyssenkrupp AG is third with 99,981 employees (5% share).

TOP 15 companies employ 1.4M people, which represents a 78% share of all employees of companies included in our analysis.

UK has the highest number of proprietorships operating in the arms and defense industry

Most of the entities operating in the arms and defense industry in Europe are corporations (1,582), followed by proprietorships (838), and foreign entities (15). The legal form of remaining entities is not reported.

The highest number of proprietorships is based in the UK (220), followed by France (90), Germany (86), and Italy (60). It has to be noted that our database does not have complete proprietorship data for all countries included in this report.

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