VettaFi Head of Thematic Strategy Jane Edmondson joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share details about about the shifting dynamics in global defense spending and the implications of recent geopolitical developments. Edmondson discussed the effects of Donald Trump’s election as U.S. President and its potential impact on NATO and defense investments.
She highlighted ongoing European efforts to enhance autonomy and modernize defense forces, noting partnerships between nations and companies, including collaborations between U.S. and European defense giants. Cyber defense also featured prominently, with Edmondson pointing out the increasing spending in response to emerging AI-enhanced threats.
She shared that Gartner projects a 15% rise in cybersecurity investments, reaching $212 billion by 2025. Edmondson described this as part of a larger trend of modernization, emphasizing technologies like drones and robotics as cost-effective solutions for defense scalability.
She concluded with insights into opportunities and uncertainties under the Trump administration, which may balance increased U.S. defense spending with potential cuts elsewhere. Edmondson affirmed that despite challenges, record-breaking defense budgets and technological advancements are set to shape 2025.