Top 5 Companies in the European Aerospace & Defense Market: Airbus, BAE Systems, Dassault, Leonardo, Thales - Comparative SWOT & Strategy Focus, 2024-2027

European and Global A&D Markets in a Major Upswing Phase amid Disruption of Traditional World Order and Geopolitical Tensions & Conflicts with focus on equipment recapitalizatin, capabilities expansion & modernization and beefing up of defense capabilities amid resurgence of the Russian threat

The Global Aerospace & Defense Market is in a major upswing phase owing to the whittling down of traditional, rule-based world order; led by China’s geopolitical revisionism, backed by military ascension amid territorial disputes as well as issues with neighbors & military adventurism in Asia; and Russia’s military resurgence with a renewed threat to Europe as the geopolitical dynamic clearly shifts towards multi-polarity. The same has led to a virtual defense renaissance globally and has created a surge in demand for procurement of new defense equipment, replacement of legacy systems, increased spending outlay towards R&D on next generation technologies and an accelerated production ramp-up of ammunition being undertaken across most key markets globally.

Global defense spending, clearly, is on an upward growth trajectory, driven by geopolitical shifts, and is projected to reach $2.5 trillion by 2027, thereby, providing the defense industrial bases across most key markets significant growth opportunities for the medium term horizon as it is desperately trying to ramp-up production rates over near term, amid supply chain constraints, to backfill depleting U.S. & NATO allies’ stockpiles of munitions, missiles & weapon systems besides fulfilling Ukraine’s critical requirements and to meet growing international demand in the era of great power competition. The surge in European Defense Budgets in 2023 drove the collective growth in global defnese spending for 2023 as the focus remains on equipment recapitalizatin & replacement, capabilities expansion and modernization and beefing up of defense capabilities amid resurgence of the Russian threat. Around 18 NATO nations based in the EU complied with the mandate of spending 2% of GDP on defense in 2023 and this number is likely to witness a further uptick going forward.

Doctrinal & Tactical Emphasis on a Mix of Conventional & Disruptive Capabilities

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which has just entered its third straight year in 2024, has already led to a shortfall in the availability of ammunition and has led to a revitalization of defense production capabilities as well as capacity globally. The war has brought back the doctrinal & tactical emphasis on and has highlighted the critical role of conventional artillery, armor, air defenses, missile systems and the improvised & innovative usage of UAS and loitering munitions for both offensive as well as defensive purposes and has bolstered efforts globally towards revitalization of capabilities across these growth-bound domains over near to medium term. Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza have further exacerbated geopolitical tensions and has disrupted prevailing dynamics and equations with the entire Middle East region on the edge over the Palestine issue and Houthis’ ongoing attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea in retaliation, using sophisticated ballistic and cruise missiles & drones, signifying the rapidly rising profile as well as capabilities of non-state actors in the existing world order and the ability of states to counter them in a cost effective manner.

Commercial Aviation Set for Full Recovery from Pandemic Blues in 2024

The Commercial Aviation Market, contrastingly, is turning a corner with passenger traffic and fleet utilization levels for 2023 exceeding pre-COVID levels of 2019 and airlines’ profitability moving into the positive zone, after years of market carnage and turbulence. The passenger flights being offered by the airlines are likely to exceed pre-pandemic levels for the first time in 2024, as per IATA, amid surging passenger traffic levels which are likely to provide a boost to fleet utilization with a better load factor, thereby, boosting passenger revenues and RPKs. The airlines profitability, however, continues to be abysmal and at rock bottom, at just $23+ billion for 2023 being at just 2+% net margin and at $5+ per passenger in revenues, way below the cost of capital and is projected to be almost marginally better for 2024 as well, however, amid a relatively lower cost base. The industry OEMs with exposure to commercial aviation, thus, are likely to be on a better footing going forward as surging air traffic amid capacity constraints is likely to provide MRO tailwinds.

Global Economy Heading towards Slowdown

The global economy, however, is projected to be heading towards a slowdown in 2024 following continued monetary policy tightening posture by central banks globally over the recent years to check high inflation. The situation has been further compounded by the sustained geopolitical instability led by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Israeli military operations in Gaza and Houthi attacks on commercial shipping which collectively threaten to cause supply shocks & raise prices of food owing to scarcity, thereby, becoming a double whammy for the global economic growth which has already regressed to its range-bound, typical, average movement of under 3% annually. However, any further, major potential shock at this time could send the global economy spiraling down into a recessionary cycle.

Study Coverage

Against this backdrop, the report analyzes & provides:

The report provides comprehensive insights into the Top 5 Companies in the European Aerospace & Defense industry with focus on a blend of quantitative & qualitative analysis. The report provides detailed analysis on the European A&D Primes, including:

• Comprehensive analysis of business portfolio and strategic market positioning
• Analysis of Overall Strategy Focus
• Analysis of Key Strategies & Plans for the Medium Term Horizon
• Detailed Comparative SWOT Analysis for the A&D OEMs
• Outlining of Key Growth Opportunities
• Analysis of Emerging & Game Changer Technologies
• Projections and market evolution for the Global A&D market over medium term

For Whom: Key Decision-Makers across Industry Value Chain

The report will be essential & a key resource for those associated with and having strategic interest in the European/Global Aerospace & Defense Industry. The report will be especially useful for:

• Key Decision-Makers across the European & Global Aerospace & Defense Industry
• Defense Procurement Executives & Defense Departments
• Program Offices & Managers
• Top Management of Industry OEMs, Players across Industry Value Chain & Other Companies
• Suppliers, Vendors, Technology & Services Providers and other Key Players in the Industry Value Chain
• Existing & Potential Investors
• Industry & Company Analysts
• M&A Advisory Firms
• Strategy & Management Consulting Firms
• PE Firms, Venture Capitalists and Financing & Leasing Companies
• Researchers and all those associated with the industry in general