What Is the JEDI ETF? A Complete Guide to Returns, Fees, Holdings and Alternative ETFs
The Defiance Drone and Modern Warfare ETF (JEDI) tracks the BITA Drone & Modern Warfare Select Index and concentrates its investments in unmanned systems and defense technology companies. Key selection criteria are its fees, its thematic concentration, how it differs from defense ETFs such as ITA and PPA, and its outlook.
SubscribeWhat Is the Defiance Drone and Modern Warfare ETF?
This is a thematic ETF that tracks the BITA Drone & Modern Warfare Select Index. It holds companies listed in developed markets worldwide that are directly or indirectly involved in drone technology, autonomous systems, and defense modernization.
It suits investors who want concentrated exposure to structural growth themes such as defense technology and unmanned systems, and who are willing to tolerate thematic volatility.
It is a passively managed (index-tracking) ETF run by Defiance.
How Does the Defiance Drone and Modern Warfare ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked Index | BITA Drone & Modern Warfare Select Index |
| Management Style | Passive (index tracking) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | Periodic rebalancing |
| Dividend Frequency | Distributions paid when applicable |
| Issuer | Defiance |
| Expense Ratio | 0.99% |
The fund holds developed-market companies that generate a meaningful share of revenue from drones, unmanned systems, and defense modernization, selected according to index rules. It is spread across the information technology and defense industries, but its non-diversified structure concentrates on the theme, and periodic rebalancing is applied based on decisions by the index committee.
- Concentrated focus on the drone and unmanned systems theme
- Exposure to companies that stand to gain from defense modernization
Defiance Drone and Modern Warfare ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $123.1M, and the Expense Ratio is 0.99% per year.
Compared with broad defense ETFs, it has a thematic structure that focuses more narrowly on drones and unmanned systems, and its fee burden is somewhat higher than the category average.
Defiance Drone and Modern Warfare ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeThe fund reacts sensitively to expanding defense budgets and shifts in demand for unmanned systems, and because of its thematic concentration it tends to swing more than broad market indexes. Returns can be highly volatile depending on the geopolitical environment and policy trends.
Interest in defense modernization and drone technology underpins its fund flows, and as a newer thematic ETF, its asset base may see inflows and outflows that vary with market sentiment.
Defiance Drone and Modern Warfare ETF Pros and Cons
Its strength is exposure to the structural themes of drones and defense modernization, while its weaknesses are the volatility that comes with thematic concentration and a somewhat higher fee.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Alternative ETFs and Related Products to the Defiance Drone and Modern Warfare ETF
Comparable products in the same defense category include ITA, PPA, and XAR, which invest in broad aerospace and defense and spread more widely across large traditional defense stocks. For a stronger focus on defense technology, SHLD is an option, and for leveraged exposure, DFEN, a 3x aerospace and defense product, may also be considered. What sets this fund apart from these alternatives is its narrower focus on drones and unmanned systems.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 PPH | VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF | $118.60 | -0.5% | $1.1B | 0.36% | 1.8% | +27.8% |
 TRFK | Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF | $83.43 | +2.8% | $1.0B | 0.49% | 0.03% | +14.2% |
 NXTG | First Trust Indxx NextG ETF | $144.09 | +0.3% | $525.1M | 0.70% | 1.37% | +31.5% |
 CLOU | Global X Cloud Computing ETF | $27.43 | +0.3% | $389.8M | 0.68% | - | +13.5% |
 ECON | Columbia Research Enhanced Emerging Economies ETF | $32.27 | +0.0% | $288.0M | 0.47% | 1.5% | +15.3% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 RDW | Redwire Corp | 0.21% | $8.12 | +3.7% | $2.0B | - | - |
 UMAC | Unusual Machines Inc | 0.18% | $14.62 | +2.5% | $759.0M | - | - |
 ONDS | Ondas Inc | 0.15% | $5.79 | +0.7% | $3.4B | 64.8 | - |
 RCAT | Red Cat Holdings Inc | 0.07% | $4.46 | +0.2% | $681.1M | - | - |
 LUNR | Intuitive Machines Inc | 0.12% | $10.49 | +6.4% | $2.4B | - | - |
| RKLB | Rocket Lab Corp | 0.05% | $54.45 | +4.6% | $32.6B | - | - |
Defiance Drone and Modern Warfare ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in JEDI. Because it is a thematic ETF, it is especially important to check in advance its thematic concentration, its cost burden, and the staying power of the drone and defense modernization theme.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Check the cumulative cost impact over long holding periods | Somewhat higher than the category average |
| 🎯 Thematic Concentration | Understand the non-diversified drone and defense modernization structure | Thematic concentration |
| 🌐 Global Exposure | Check the range of diversification across developed-market listed companies | Global diversification |
| 💱 Exchange Rate | Check the impact on returns converted to Korean won | Not currency hedged |
Thematic concentration and dependence on policy and the geopolitical environment are the main drivers of volatility. If the defense theme falls out of market favor or policy direction shifts, short-term losses can be larger than those of broad indexes.
It is a suitable choice for investors who want to make a concentrated bet on the drone and defense modernization themes. For broader defense exposure, consider ITA or PPA; for a focus on defense technology, SHLD; and for a focus on drones and unmanned systems, this fund is the right fit.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of June 26, 2026.
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