BlackRock Introduces Actively-Managed Defense ETF Focused on Global Security and Resilience

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, BlackRock announced the launch of the iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (NASDAQ:IDEF), an actively managed thematic ETF offering precise exposure to companies at the center of shifting geopolitical dynamics, national defense strategies, and global security priorities.

Long-term forces such as geopolitical fragmentation, supply chain reorientation, and rising competition over critical technologies are redefining national priorities and the global economy. In response, global investment in defense and security has surged - reaching a record $2.7 trillion in 2024, up 9.4% year-over-year and more than doubling since 2000.¹

“An active investing approach offers a nuanced and nimble approach to navigating geopolitical fragmentation and a shifting global defense landscape,” said Jay Jacobs, U.S. Head of Equity ETFs at BlackRock. “As governments around the world rewire their economic and security strategies, IDEF provides a dynamic way to target companies at the center of that transformation - from cybersecurity and advanced technologies to aerospace and strategic manufacturing.”

Managed by Simon Wan, Yasmin Meissner and Lucy Parker of the BlackRock Multi-Asset Strategies & Solutions Group, IDEF combines top-down macro research with proprietary analytics and alternative data - including defense revenue exposure and government contracting activity - to build a selective portfolio that focuses on global defense opportunities across multiples geographies and industries.

IDEF joins BlackRock’s $45 billion active ETF platform and builds on its growing thematic lineup.² BlackRock also manages one of the largest defense-themed index ETFs, the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA), as well as the iShares Cybersecurity and Tech ETF (IHAK), offering investors broader access to key subthemes shaping today’s global security environment.³

About BlackRock
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About iShares
iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1500+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and $4.3 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

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Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The Fund is actively managed and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index, may have higher portfolio turnover, and may charge higher fees than index funds due to increased trading and research expenses. ​

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