3:41 11 July 2025
European arms sector surges
As European NATO members boost military spending, the continent’s defense sector is expanding rapidly. If EU countries meet their 5% of GDP defense spending goals, the total could hit €14 trillion over the next decade, according to Carlyle. Not all of this will reach defense firms, but capital expenditure is rising—44.3% of Poland’s 2024 defense budget is earmarked for equipment.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, job postings at Europe’s top 25 defense companies have surged. In May 2025, they remained 41% above 2021 levels, even as overall job listings declined. French firms led hiring in May (43%), followed by Germany and the UK (17% each).
Polish companies are scaling up too: PGZ is hiring nearly 200 staff, and PZL Mielec plans to expand in 2025. M&A activity is also booming—deal value in H1 2025 rose 35% year-on-year to $2.3 billion, already surpassing 2024’s total.
