The unstable situation and ongoing wars in the world make military and arms industry develop extremely dynamically. This is a very important sector of the economy because it largely determines the overall position and defense potential of countries. Who are the key players in the military industry and what does the current arena of this industry look like? We write about it below.
Military industry – general picture
Military industry is a department mainly related to the production of weapons and equipment intended for military and military needs. It includes, among others: design, production, assembly and development of weapons components and systems. The arms industry is one of the most dynamic areas of industry and economy in the world, which has not been affected even by the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine or Middle East is driving the profits of arms companies even further. The SIPRI organization (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) calculated that the revenues of the hundred largest arms manufacturers and military service providers amounted to USD 597 billion in 2023. Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (Polish arms group- PGZ) was ranked 71st – 5 places higher than a year earlier. There is no doubt, that we are currently observing a global arms race with wars in the background.
The largest arms companies
The United States has consistently been the leader among arms-producing countries for years, and the top five largest arms industry companies in the world include only American companies. It is also worth noting that in the case of China and Russia, the information blockade significantly complicates the assessment of the Chinese and Russian arms industry, which is why the data used in SIPRI reports are unfortunately often “estimated.” After the United States, the most important countries in the arms industry include:
- Russia,
- China,
- France,
- Germany,
- Spain,
- South Korea,
- Great Britain,
- Israel,
- Italy.
The largest companies in the arms industry
LockheedMartin
Lockheed Martin is a giant and one of the 3 largest concerns in the American aerospace industry, next to Boeing and Northrop Grumman. The company’s business scope is focused on the aerospace, defense and security, electronics and IT sectors. The company offers its products and services on both the military and civilian markets, and its best-selling product is the famous F-35 fighter aircraft, which are currently the most modern combat aircraft in the world.
Boeing
Known in the world mainly for the production of civil aircraft, it is also an American aviation, arms and space giant. Boeing produces various types of airplanes and helicopters, intended for both the military and civil services, and is one of the world’s two largest aircraft manufacturers, competing for supremacy in this field with the European Airbus. Its flagship product is the F-15 fighter, designed to operate in all weather conditions.
Raytheon
Once again American and one of the largest military companies in the world. Raytheon
produces a wide range of products, from radar and missile systems to aircraft engines and HVAC systems. The company is the manufacturer of the state-of-the-art MIM-104 Patriot anti-missile system, which is capable of engaging targets at distances of over 100 kilometers. It can destroy, among others: airplanes, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ballistic missiles.
BAE Systems
A British defense and aviation industry concern that produces, among others, nuclear-powered submarines, fighters, tanks and ships, as well as weapons and ammunition. BAE is a leader in the production of ships and marine systems. Their products include:
some of the most modern and dangerous Astute-class submarines in the world, type 45 destroyers and type 26 frigates.
Military industry in Poland
Unfortunately, the Polish arms industry is far from being a leader in the market. Nevertheless, it is constantly developing and expanding. It can be broadly divided into two sectors. Companies associated with Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (Polish Armament Group)) and non-affiliated enterprises, including ex:
- Polskie Zakłady Lotnicze Mielec and Świdnik,
- Lubawa.
Polish Armament Group
Polish company established in 2013 by the State Treasury and one of the largest defense concerns in Europe. It brings together over 50 companies and holds shares in 32 others.
PZG produces ammunition, armored vehicles (e.g. Rosomak transporters), radar systems and small arms. The most popular products manufactured by the PGZ group include:
- AHS Krab – a self-propelled 155 mm howitzer with a 52-calibre barrel on a tracked chassis – the so-called “Polish god of war” – currently one of the most famous products of the Polish defense industry.
- Another product that is popular on the market is the PPZR Piorun portable anti-aircraft missile system. It is intended to combat helicopters, airplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles and winged missiles.
Military translators
The arms industry is not only about production, but also about cooperation between individual countries, and therefore the demand for the services of military translators is really huge. Proper understanding of specialized terms is necessary when producing military equipment and implementing international projects in the arms industry. Military translations performed by an experienced and professional specialist translator are a guarantee of accuracy and confidentiality. Skrivanek provides the highest quality of services thanks to the support of expert translators associated with the defense sector. Contact us and find out the details.