The consultancy firm PwC has prepared for TEDAE the report “Economic and Social Impact of the Defense, Security, Aeronautics and Space Industries”, presented in Madrid. The study, which includes data from 2024, places the combined turnover of these four industries at €16.153 billion, representing an increase of 16.2% compared to the previous year.
This dynamism extends across all sectors, with double-digit growth rates. In this regard, Aeronautics was the fastest-growing industry, reaching a turnover of €11.37 billion in 2024, 14.5% more than in 2023. Meanwhile, Defense and Security reached €9.364 billion, a 16.4% increase over 2023. As for Space, turnover rose to €1.293 billion, up 14.9% from the previous year.
The Defense, Security, Aeronautics, and Space sectors are major drivers of economic growth, extending along a broad and diversified supply chain that fosters regional development, innovation, and the technological specialization of the Spanish economy. In 2024, these industries contributed €21.919 billion to Spain’s GDP, equivalent to 1.4% of the national GDP and 12.9% of the country’s industrial GDP. Regarding fiscal contribution, the companies belonging to TEDAE generated €7.399 billion in tax revenues, representing 2.5% of total tax income in Spain.
The industries represented by TEDAE generate highly qualified employment with productivity levels above average, making them a key source of stable, high-quality jobs in Spain. According to the 2024 figures analyzed in the report, these sectors are responsible for 260,050 jobs, including direct, indirect, and induced employment. Specifically, for every direct job created, 3.5 additional jobs are generated across the Spanish economy.
In addition to their strategic value, these sectors stand out for their strong commitment to technological innovation and the development of key solutions that enhance competitiveness and industrial sovereignty. In this regard, PwC’s report for TEDAE highlights that total R&D&I investment—both direct and indirect—by Defense, Security, Aeronautics, and Space companies reached €2.614 billion in 2024, accounting for 29.5% of total R&D&I investment in Spain’s industrial sector. Over the past 20 years, Spain has improved its position in R&D&I rankings, moving up ten places to 14th globally.
The economic complexity derived from the high technological level and sophistication of Defense, Security, Aeronautics, and Space products makes a decisive contribution to economic development and Spain’s prominent position on the international stage. Exports from TEDAE industries continue to gain ground over domestic sales, reaching €9.931 billion in 2024—61% of total consolidated turnover. Regarding the trade balance, the report notes that these sectors helped reduce the trade deficit by 12.1%.
The industries operate within a context shaped by five global megatrends identified by PwC—challenges that are redefining politics, society, the economy, and industry: climate change and rising temperatures, sea levels, and extreme weather events; technological disruption, which multiplies applications and transforms productivity and the relationship between people and businesses; social instability marked by polarization and growing citizen pressure; fragmentation of the global order, with greater geopolitical competition, weakened international frameworks, and a search for autonomy and resilience; and finally, demographic shifts, population aging, pressure on social spending, and shortages of qualified talent.
The sectors represented by TEDAE combine strong industrial hubs with a network of SMEs spread across the country, forming a diverse and decentralized business fabric with significant driving effects. In 2024, the regions of Madrid, Andalusia, the Basque Country, Catalonia, Castile and León, and Castile-La Mancha accounted for more than 80% of total consolidated industry turnover and direct employment, underscoring the strength of this industrial network.
These figures demonstrate how the industries represented by TEDAE promote territorial cohesion and business diversity. SMEs play a greater role in regions such as the Valencian Community and Navarre, where companies together generate nearly €100 million in turnover.
Ricardo Martí Fluxá, President of TEDAE, emphasized that “these figures show strength but also commitment, because beyond the numbers lies our true value—the driving effect. Every euro invested in these industries multiplies its impact on the national economy, activating supply chains and opening opportunities for SMEs and startups across the country.”
Meanwhile, Jordi García Brustenga, Secretary of State for Industry, stated that “if the Defense sector is responsible for translating the requirements of our armed forces into industrial needs, our role from the industry side is to create a new ecosystem, focusing on both quality and quantity. Our goal, therefore, is to ensure that this ecosystem grows by bringing industries and SMEs closer to the sector.”
From PwC, Jordi Esteve, Partner in charge of Economics, and Bernat Figueres, Partner in charge of Strategy&, remarked that “the economic contribution of the sector is not only measured in volume but also in quality, as it produces high value-added goods with substantial economic and technological complexity, helping to consolidate qualified employment, strengthen industrial competitiveness, and enhance the country’s technological autonomy.”
Finally, Amparo Valcarce, Secretary of State for Defense, stated that “thanks to the data in this new report, we can affirm that the Defense, Security, Aeronautics, and Space sectors have become fundamental pillars of the Spanish economy.” She also highlighted TEDAE’s role as “a key player in this transformation, positioning Spain as a relevant actor within the European and international framework.” Lastly, she affirmed that “the Government and the Ministry of Defense are committed to three priorities: technological innovation, support for SMEs and startups, and a balanced presence across all regions.”
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