Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Overweight" rating for the defense industry, consistent with the previous rating [8]. Core Insights - The national defense budget for 2025 is set at 1,784.7 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 7.2%, which is higher than the expected GDP growth target of 5% [3][8]. - The defense budget growth rate has remained stable over the past nine years, with the proportion of defense spending to GDP still having room for improvement compared to countries like the US and Japan [3][8]. - The report emphasizes the importance of the defense budget as a foundation for modernization and equipment development, with a consistent growth trend observed from 2016 to 2024 [3][8]. Summary by Sections National Defense Budget Overview - The 2025 defense budget is 1,784.7 billion yuan, marking a 7.2% increase, which aligns with the stable growth trend observed in previous years [3][8]. - The defense budget growth has been consistent, with annual increases of 7.6%, 7%, 8.1%, 7.5%, 6.6%, 6.8%, 7.1%, and 7.2% from 2016 to 2024 [8]. Comparison with Other Countries - Japan's defense budget for 2025 is projected at 8.7 trillion yen, a 9.4% increase, while the US defense budget for the fiscal year 2024 is approximately 886 billion USD, accounting for 3% of its GDP [8]. - China's defense spending as a percentage of GDP has remained below 1.5%, indicating significant potential for growth compared to global averages and specific countries [8]. Strategic Implications - The report highlights the ongoing modernization of the military and defense capabilities as a priority, with a focus on implementing Xi Jinping's military strategies and enhancing combat readiness [8]. - The year 2025 is seen as a pivotal year for transitioning from the 14th Five-Year Plan to the 15th, with expectations for steady growth in defense spending to support modernization goals [8]. Recommended Investment Targets - The report suggests focusing on companies within the aerospace and aviation supply chain, recommending specific stocks such as AVIC Optoelectronics, Aerospace Electric, AVIC Shenyang Aircraft, and others [8].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is committed to a coordinated development of national defense and economic construction, with a planned defense budget of 1.81 trillion yuan for 2025, reflecting a 7.2% increase from the previous year [1][2]. Summary by Sections National Defense Budget - The 2025 national defense budget is set at 1.81 trillion yuan, with a 7.2% increase from the previous year's execution [1]. - Central government expenditure is 1.78 trillion yuan, also showing a 7.2% growth compared to the previous year [1]. Allocation of Increased Defense Spending - The increase in defense spending will focus on developing new combat capabilities, enhancing traditional military forces, and improving military training and education systems [3]. - The budget is legally managed and approved by the National People's Congress, ensuring transparency in its allocation and use [2]. Strategic Objectives - The defense budget aims to enhance China's military capabilities in response to complex security challenges and to fulfill international responsibilities [2]. - The military modernization process is aligned with national modernization goals, aiming to achieve the centenary military objectives by 2027 [1][2]. Key Areas of Focus - Development of new operational forces and a new military structure [3]. - Improvement of reconnaissance, joint strike capabilities, and comprehensive support systems [3]. - Emphasis on practical military training and the development of a new military talent cultivation system [3]. - Ongoing reforms in national defense and military personnel policies to enhance training and living conditions for troops [3].

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Recommended (Maintain)" [3] Core Viewpoints - The report continues to be bullish on the aerospace precision-guided industry chain, indicating that the demand inflection point is approaching by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan [4][5] - The defense and military industry index increased by 2.20% from February 10 to February 21, 2025, ranking 15th among 30 primary industry indices, underperforming the Shanghai Composite Index by 0.08 percentage points and the ChiNext Index by 2.73 percentage points [4][11] Summary by Sections 1. Investment Insights - As of February 21, 2025, among 219 military industry stocks, 144 have released their 2024 performance forecasts or reports. The median change in net profit forecasts shows 18 stocks with increases over 100%, 12 stocks with increases between 50% and 100%, and 43 stocks with declines over 100% [5][11] - The report highlights that 87 stocks are expected to see reduced performance, with 49 due to order or delivery issues, 10 due to impairment provisions, and 15 due to pricing and tax policy changes [5][11] 2. Market Performance - The defense and military industry index rose by 1.66% in the last five trading days (February 17 to February 21, 2025), while the Shanghai Composite Index rose by 0.97% and the ChiNext Index rose by 2.99% [17] - Year-to-date, the defense and military industry index has increased by 0.17%, underperforming the Shanghai Composite Index by 0.65 percentage points and the ChiNext Index by 6.36 percentage points [17] 3. Major Company Profit Forecasts and Valuations - The report provides profit forecasts for major companies, indicating that the expected revenue for 中航沈飞 (AVIC Shenyang Aircraft Corporation) in 2025 is 494.2 billion yuan, with a net profit of 37.7 billion yuan [28] - 中航西飞 (AVIC Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group) is projected to have a revenue of 510.5 billion yuan and a net profit of 10.3 billion yuan in 2025 [28] 4. Financing Balance - The current financing balance of the military industry accounts for 3.55% of the industry’s circulating market value, which is 1.17 percentage points higher than the overall A-share market [25][26] - As of February 21, 2025, the financing balance in the military sector has increased to 946.78 billion yuan, with 181 stocks involved [25][26]