Global defence companies are recruiting workers at the fastest rate since the end of the cold war as the industry seeks to deliver on order books that are near record highs.
A Financial Times survey of the hiring plans of 20 large and medium-sized US and European defence and aerospace companies found they are looking to recruit tens of thousands of people this year.
Three of the largest US contractors — Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics — have close to 6,000 job openings they need to fill, while 10 companies surveyed are seeking to increase positions by almost 37,000 in total, or almost 10 per cent of their aggregate workforce.
“Since the end of the cold war, this is the most intense period for the defence sector with the highest increase in order volume in a rather short period of time,” said Jan Pie, secretary-general of ASD, the European aerospace and defence trade association.
Governments around the world have ramped up military spending since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and amid widespread geopolitical tensions. The sudden spike in orders after decades of low volumes, combined with competition for digital skills from technology groups and a labour market still dealing with Covid-era staff shortages, are some of the factors driving the industry-wide hiring spree.
@ExecutivePeytonRepublican3mos3MO
This is what is sorely needed. Innovation in defense is why we enjoy the current technologies we take for granted. A boost in productivity is also more likely to follow as a result of heavy defense spending as opposed to capital-light activities in software businesses. Yes, this will produce inflation, but it is needed.
The main opposition to this, understandably, comes from chinese, russian, and neoliberal sympathizers. Thankfully, these people's ideas are being marginalized as we see the true nature of globalization.
@GraciousChileGreen3mos3MO
is that you Lockheed employee?
Defense spending in America is grossly corrupt and only people who benefit are contractors, politicians and shareholders with barely any innovation in recent 30 years
@TacosDeanLibertarian3mos3MO
You're right lets funnel money in food delivery apps and the fifth version of airbnb! Or perhaps a memcoin. In all seriousness, the bloated traditional defense companies will face more competition from upstarts like Anduril
@ZealousTigerNo Labels3mos3MO
At least the food delivery companies are leaching money off VC’s or public markets unlike defense milking off tax payers…..US had $800 bb budget yet can’t make enough ammo to sustain a long conflict…lol…or Yemeni Houthi’s have spent less $5 mm in drones but costed US Navy $1 bb in defending against those drones and missiles
@ISIDEWITH3mos3MO
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