In 2015, the top 10 countries for military expenditures represented 74% of the total, worldwide outlay, according to SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). The U.S. leads the list at $596 billion, outspending China by almost three times and South Korea by 16 times. Saudi Arabia spends the largest percentage of GDP of the top 10 at 13.7%. The total world expends $1.7 trillion representing 2.3% of the worldwide GDP.

The worldwide demand for connectors in the military/aerospace market was $3.1 billion in 2015, down 9% from 2014. Not surprisingly, North America consumed 46% of those connectors by dollar volume.

Out of the Top 100 connector companies, the Top 10 companies supplying connectors to the military/aerospace market provide 72% of the worldwide demand for that market (based on 2014 sales).

Amphenol has the largest market share at 25% of the military/aerospace market. They were followed by TE at 13%.

The top 10 largest OEMs in the military/aerospace market supply $226 billion of hardware and services. The largest is Lockheed Martin at $46 billion. The company employs 116,000 people worldwide and receives approximately 10% of the Pentagon’s funds. Programs they manage include C-130 Hercules, C-5 Galaxy, F-16 Falcon, F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightening, the Aegis combat system and advanced ballistic missile defense systems.

Bishop follows 13 public companies in the military/aerospace market on a quarterly basis. In 2015, sales for these companies declined 4.9% over their 2014 sales. Profitability decreased 4.3% year-over-year.

Of the 13 companies, EADS had the largest increase in sales in 2015 at 27%. United Technologies is the largest company in 2015 at $59 billion.

Military/aerospace connector sales decreased 9% in 2015. Our 14 military/aerospace OEM’s sales declined 4.9% in 2015.

Profiles of most of connector companies can be found on Bishop & Associates’ subscribers-only World’s Connector Companies website (www.wccreport.com or www.worldsconnectorcompanies.com). For more information, contact bishop@bishopinc.com or 630-443-2702.


Ronald E. Bishop

Ronald E. Bishop

Ronald E. Bishop founded Bishop & Associates Inc., a market research firm that specializes in the world electronic connector industry, in 1985. The firm publishes a monthly newsletter titled “The Bishop Report,” and the twice-monthly digital publication Connector Supplier.

The reports, produced by a staff of 20 researchers, focus on geographic regions, end-user equipment markets, connector products, and interconnect technologies.

The firm also provides executive placement services and conducts multi-client studies and customer surveys, and assists in merger and acquisition activity.

View other posts from Ronald E. Bishop. View other posts from Ronald E. Bishop.

Search MarketEYE

Filter Articles By Category

View All Connector Articles


Select Contributor to view their article(s)

View All Passive Articles


Select Contributor to view their article(s)

View All Switches & Relays Articles


Select Contributor to view their article(s)

View All TTI Insights Articles


Select Contributor to view their article(s)

TTI Insights

Stay Updated

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest industry news, product updates, and promotions.