Defense & Aerospace

The global defense spending environment in 2026 is unlike any seen since the Cold War. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, ongoing tensions in the Middle East, and rising competition in the Asia-Pacific have simultaneously pushed most major defense nations to accelerate procurement. The major powers, the United States, China, and Western Europe, collectively account for more than 60% of global defense spending, and all have expanded their military budgets in 2026 by double-digit growth compared to the previous year. The United States remains the world’s largest defense spender, exceeding $1 trillion in 2026 for the first time.

The military’s operational environment is evolving too, with information and space domains gaining ground over traditional land, sea, and air, driving new semiconductor needs across the electromagnetic spectrum, cyberspace, and information systems.

Hassan Saleh, PhD Principal Technology & Market Analyst, Radio Frequency at Yole Group – “RF technology sits at the heart of every major defense capability, from early-warning radar and fire-control systems to electronic warfare, drone navigation, and counter-drone defenses. When defense budgets expand, RF device suppliers benefit across the board.”

As defense systems push RF performance to its limits, GaN technology has become the enabler, delivering the power density, efficiency, and reliability needed for next-generation radar, jamming, and communication systems.