Nvidia Stock Is Poised to Benefit From Rising Use of AI in Defense Systems and Global Surge in Defense Spending

Core Viewpoint - Nvidia is positioned to benefit from the global surge in defense spending and the increasing prioritization of advanced technologies, particularly AI, in defense applications [6][11][31] Group 1: Trends in Defense Spending - There is a global surge in defense spending, with NATO members agreeing to increase their annual defense spending to up to 5% of their GDP by 2035 [7][8] - In 2024, NATO members (excluding the U.S.) invested an average of 2.02% of their GDP on defense, which increases to approximately 3.4% when including U.S. contributions [8] - The U.S. plans to increase its defense budget to $1.01 trillion for fiscal year 2026, representing a 13.4% increase from fiscal year 2025 [10] Group 2: Technological Advancements in Defense - The defense industry is increasingly prioritizing cutting-edge technologies such as AI, autonomous systems, and cybersecurity, which will benefit Nvidia as the leader in AI chips [11] - President Trump's executive order on drone production aims to enhance U.S. military capabilities, which could lead to increased demand for Nvidia's technology in autonomous systems [12] - Venture capital funding for defense tech companies rose by 33% year-over-year to $31 billion in 2024, with significant investments in AI and autonomous systems [15] Group 3: Nvidia's Role in Defense Applications - Nvidia collaborates with major defense contractors like Leidos, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon, indicating its strong presence in the defense sector [18] - Northrop Grumman has a deep partnership with Nvidia, utilizing its AI software for advanced defense systems [21] - Nvidia's technology has been used in military equipment since at least 2012, showcasing its long-standing involvement in defense applications [25][26] Group 4: Demand for Nvidia's Products - There is solid government demand for Nvidia's GPU-equipped workstations and Jetson platform, which are essential for developing autonomous drones and robots [28] - A Naval agency specified the need for Nvidia RTX Workstations, emphasizing their uniqueness and essential nature for fulfilling agency needs [29][30] - The increasing global defense budgets and prioritization of AI in defense spending create a bullish outlook for Nvidia stock [31]