BAE Systems PLC (LSE:BA.) and Babcock International PLC (LSE:BAB) are expected to benefit from a sharp rise in UK defence spending, according to Panmure Liberum.
The broker highlighted increased investments in the UK's nuclear deterrent, which is based on submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
The cost of maintaining and replacing the UK's nuclear deterrent has grown significantly, and its share of the defence budget is set to rise from 5-6% to at least 19% by next year.
The replacement of submarines and warheads, scheduled to start in the early 2030s, is a key driver of this growth, the broker said, though time and cost overruns have added further pressure.
BAE Systems, responsible for building the submarines, and Babcock, which supports them, are well-positioned to benefit.
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (LSE:RR.), which manufactures the reactors, has less exposure to nuclear defence projects and may see limited gains as a result, the analysts said.
A significant portion of the work is sole-source with a “cost-plus” pricing model, with profit margins capped at 7-8%, which some investors view as limiting upside potential for the companies involved.