Private equity exits in aerospace and defense surged to $26.8 billion in the first half of 2026, driven by five major IPOs.
Private equity exits in the aerospace and defense sector reached $26.8 billion in the first half of 2026, surpassing the $17.7 billion total for all of 2025. The surge was led by five public listings, including DPC Holdings’ $4.9 billion IPO in June.
Last year’s second quarter saw no comparable exits, while this year’s activity was bolstered by listings of Global Medical Response and Applied Aerospace & Defense, each valued at $3.4 billion. Demand for new aircraft and defense modernization drove the trend.
The sector’s momentum follows heightened investor focus amid geopolitical tensions and Boeing’s production challenges, analysts noted.