The BDLI takes off
Aerospace and Defense on a Growth Trajectory
The A&D industry is soaring
The BDLI announced its industry figures for 2026. They demonstrate the continued growth of its member companies. “In this way, we are making a decisive contribution to Germany’s sovereignty and global competitiveness,” explains Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defense and President of the BDLI.
In 2026, the industry’s total revenue amounted to 62 billion euros (+19%), of which 45 billion euros (+15%) came from civil aviation, 13.5 billion euros from the military sector (+35%),
and 3.5 billion in the space sector (+17%). As a result, all three segments of the German aerospace industry recorded double-digit growth rates in 2025.
The number of employees reached a new high of 130,000 (+8% compared to 2025). The export ratio remains at 66%, and investments in research and development amount to 3.5 billion euros—corresponding to a 6% share of total revenue (2025: 3.6 billion euros).
