UK-based brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance has reported that, perhaps surprisingly, in its latest survey US aerospace giant Boeing remained the most valuable aerospace and defence brand in the world (and for the tenth year in a row). Despite being beset with multiple quality control issues in its commercial airplane, defence and space businesses, Boeing’s brand valuation rose to $18.2-billion, a 12% increase, year-on-year. Brand Finance attributed this to the worldwide recovery of commercial aviation and a strong performance by Boeing’s defence and space divisions.

However, the company with the strongest brand was SpaceX, which had a Brand Strength Index of 90.1 (out of 100) and a rating of AAA+, which made it “elite”. It had recorded more than 130 launches last year, had significant programmes with the US National Aeronautics and Space Agency, and was developing its highly visible Starship project. This meant that SpaceX was continuing to shape the future of space exploration, and of defence infrastructure.

The aerospace and defence company that saw the fastest year-on-year increase in its brand value was Saab, of Sweden. It rocketed 59% to $1.4-billion. In a Europe where increased security concerns had resulted in growing defence budgets, Saab had, Brand Finance affirmed, emerged as a key strategic supplier, thanks to its production capacity, technology leadership and reliability.

The group in the top ten of aerospace and defence brands which had seen the fastest growth in its brand value, year-on-year, had been UK-based Rolls-Royce. The group had seen its brand value jump 44%, to reach $4.5-billion. This strong performance was the result of the increasing demand for commercial aero engines, progress in the development of sustainable aviation, and leading-edge innovation (including, the consultancy noted, a project for a nuclear reactor for use on the Moon).

“The aerospace and defence sector is undergoing a profound transformation,” affirmed Brand Finance senior director Savio D’Souza. “Renewed geopolitical urgency, growing investment in clean aviation, and a new era of commercial space exploration are reshaping brand value. In this high-stakes environment, strong brands are becoming synonymous with national security, innovation, and economic resilience.”

The sector’s 25 most valuable brands saw an overall 10% rise in their brand value, year-on-year. This was driven by the increasing international tensions (stimulating rearmament programmes), restored investment in air travel (which had returned to pre-pandemic levels), and the fast growth of the commercial space sector.