Aura ETFs has launched the U.S. Defense ETF (DUTY), the first collaboration between Aura ETFs and Solactive, tracking the Solactive U.S. Defense Index. The ETF is designed to provide investors with targeted exposure to U.S. companies operating across defense systems, military technology, logistics and mission support, as well as cybersecurity and digital defense infrastructure.
The launch comes at a time when defense and security remain a key strategic priority for governments and industry alike. The United States remained the world’s largest military spender, accounting for more than a third of global military expenditure, while the cyber threat environment continues to intensify as organizations contend with rising geopolitical fragmentation, AI-enabled attacks, and expanding digital dependencies.
The Solactive U.S. Defense Index draws from U.S.-listed equities on NYSE and Nasdaq that meet minimum size and liquidity requirements and are drawn from relevant aerospace, defense, communications, software, and IT-related industries. Using ARTIS®, Solactive’s proprietary natural language processing technology, the index identifies and ranks companies with meaningful business exposure to defense-related activities based on publicly available information. Eligible companies must generate at least 50% of their revenues from one or more of four business areas: Defense Systems & Military Platforms, Defense Technology, Defense Logistics, Simulation & Mission Support, and Cybersecurity & Digital Defense Infrastructure. The resulting portfolio is built from the highest-ranking companies while incorporating buffers intended to reduce unnecessary turnover.
Constituents are weighted by free-float market capitalization, subject to diversification constraints including an 8% cap per security, tighter limits for cybersecurity-focused companies, and aggregate concentration limits for larger positions. The index is rebalanced semi-annually to maintain its representation of the U.S. defense theme.
The ETF was listed on 8 April 2026 on NYSE Arca under the ticker DUTY.
Timo Pfeiffer, Chief Markets Officer at Solactive, commented: “We are pleased to support Aura ETFs in the launch of its inaugural ETF. With the Solactive U.S. Defense Index, we are proud to provide the benchmark for a strategy focused on a segment that has seen increased market attention amid heightened geopolitical and security concerns.”
Rob Oliver, Founder and CEO of Aura ETFs, commented: “Solactive has been a strong partner in developing and index that captures the breadth of the modern U.S. defense ecosystem. Their approach is well aligned with our focus on building targeted, transparent ETF strategies.”
