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Best Defense Stocks for 2026

Top defense and aerospace stocks for 2026. Global defense spending at record highs.

πŸ€– AI Analyst2 stocks analyzed⏱ 9 min readπŸ“… 2026-02-04

Global Defense Spending Boom

NATO nations are racing to meet 2.5%+ GDP defense spending targets. Global military expenditure exceeds $2.5 trillion in 2026.

Top 8 Defense Stocks

Korean Defense Champions

1.ν•œν™”μ—μ–΄λ‘œμŠ€νŽ˜μ΄μŠ€ (012450) β€” K9 howitzer exports booming, space/satellite expansion
2.Korea Aerospace (047810) β€” KF-21 fighter jet production, FA-50 exports
3.LIG Nex1 (079550) β€” Missiles, guided weapons, defense electronics
4.ν•œν™”μ‹œμŠ€ν…œ (272210) β€” Defense IT, UAM, satellite communications

US Defense Giants

5.Lockheed Martin (LMT) β€” F-35, missiles, space systems
6.RTX Corporation (RTX) β€” Patriot missiles (Ukraine demand), Pratt & Whitney engines
7.Northrop Grumman (NOC) β€” B-21 bomber, nuclear modernization
8.L3Harris (LHX) β€” Communication systems, ISR, space

Why Korean Defense Stocks?

Korean defense exports surged 150% in 2024-2025. Poland, Romania, Saudi Arabia, and Australia are major K-defense buyers. The price/performance ratio of Korean weapons is unmatched.

Investment Thesis

  • Geopolitical tensions (Ukraine, Taiwan Strait, Middle East) sustain spending
  • Korean defense offers growth rates (30%+) vs US defense (5-8%)
  • NATO expansion and European rearmament are structural tailwinds
  • ⚠️ This information does not constitute investment advice. Investment decisions should be made at your own judgment.