American companies captured nearly half of worldwide arms revenue this year as global military spending hit record highs, according to a new SIPRI report released Monday. The 39 U.S. firms on the Top 100 list generated $334 billion – enough to buy every Taylor Swift album ever made 1.2 million times over. 💸
SpaceX Blasts Into Arms Market
Elon Musk’s SpaceX made its first appearance in the rankings with $1.8 billion in weapons-related sales – double its 2023 figures. The company’s Starlink satellites, initially developed for internet connectivity, now play crucial roles in modern warfare communication systems.
War Drives Profits
Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, combined with rising global tensions, fueled a 5.9% revenue jump across the Top 100 defense companies. European firms saw particularly strong growth, though U.S. giants still dominate the sector like Beyoncé rules the charts.
"We’re seeing governments prioritize military capabilities over social spending," said SIPRI researcher Alexandra Marksteiner. The Stockholm-based think tank has tracked arms data since 1966, making it the OG of military expenditure analysis.
