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ARMR

$25.75-0.96%Defence & Aerospace33/100
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BetaShares Global Defence ETF · BetaShares

Data as at 29 March 2026

TL;DR

Tracks global defence companies — aerospace manufacturers, military technology firms, and electronics businesses. Launched October 2024. By early 2025, European defence stocks had risen 40-60% on increased government military spending.

MER (Annual Fee)
0.57%
1Y Return
+28.5%
3Y Return (p.a.)
-
Dividend Yield
2.15%
Trailing 12 months
AUM
$244.1M
Assets under management
Avg Daily Turnover
$350K
Avg shares × unit price
Unit Price
$25.75
As at 29 March 2026
Provider
BetaShares
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Strategy

Follows the VettaFi Global Defence Leaders Index, covering companies that generate significant revenue from defence contracts. Managed by BetaShares at 0.55% per year.

Top Holdings

Key Fact

ARMR launched in October 2024. By early 2025, European defence stocks had risen 40-60% as European governments dramatically increased military spending following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and evolving US foreign policy commitments to NATO.

Suited for

Investors who expect sustained increases in global defence spending. NATO countries committed to raising defence budgets to 2% of GDP, and geopolitical developments from 2022 onward have accelerated defence procurement across Europe, Asia, and the US.

Risks

Defence spending is ultimately driven by government budget decisions. Political changes that reduce military budgets would directly impact this fund. The sector is also ethically excluded by investors with restrictions on weapons-related investments.

ARMR Comparisons

ETFCheck Score33/100
Fees (40%)15
Fund Size (25%)25
Liquidity (20%)28
Yield (15%)100
How scores are calculated →

Frequently Asked Questions - ARMR

Why has ARMR surged over 32% in one year and can the momentum continue?+
ARMR's 32.4% one-year return reflects NATO members ramping defence spending toward the 2% GDP commitment, boosting holdings like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and BAE Systems. Geopolitical tensions in Europe and the Indo-Pacific have accelerated procurement budgets globally. While the structural tailwind of re-armament may persist for years, investors should note the ETF launched only in March 2023, so its track record is limited and valuations in the sector have already re-rated significantly.
How does ARMR's 0.57% MER compare to other thematic ETFs on the ASX?+
ARMR's 0.57% management fee sits within the typical range for thematic ETFs on the ASX, comparable to funds like ACDC or HACK. Unlike broad-market ETFs such as VAS at 0.07%, thematic products carry higher costs due to specialised index licensing and narrower universes. Given ARMR's concentrated exposure to global defence primes with no direct ASX-listed rival, Australian investors have limited alternatives, making the fee reasonable for targeted defence and aerospace allocation.
What are the tax implications of holding ARMR in an Australian SMSF?+
ARMR holds international stocks so distributions are typically unfranked foreign-sourced income, meaning SMSF trustees won't receive franking credits to offset tax. Distributions are assessable at the fund's applicable tax rate - 15% in accumulation or 0% in pension phase. The ETF's low 0.45% yield means the bulk of returns come from capital gains, which benefit from the CGT discount if units are held longer than 12 months within the SMSF.
Is ARMR too concentrated in US defence contractors for proper diversification?+
ARMR's index is heavily weighted toward US defence giants like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and RTX, reflecting America's dominance in global defence spending. However, it also includes European firms such as BAE Systems, Rheinmetall, and Leonardo, providing some geographic spread. Australian investors already lacking defence exposure on the ASX - where sector representation is minimal beyond CAR and EOS - may find ARMR a useful portfolio satellite despite its US tilt.