Venezuelan politics have once again become a focus of international market attention. As details of the US manhunt for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro gradually emerge, the international community and financial markets are closely watching developments. Based on publicly available information, this operation involves not only the US's long-standing intelligence and surveillance capabilities but has also drawn market attention to the movements of some US defense industry stocks.
The manhunt operation has been exposed, revealing US intelligence and military deployments.
Relations between the United States and Venezuela have long been tense. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted Maduro on drug terrorism charges, accusing him of colluding with armed drug cartels to smuggle cocaine into the United States as weapons. On January 4, 2026, the United States brought Venezuelan President Maduro to New York for trial on drug trafficking charges, and details of this "decapitation operation" subsequently surfaced in international media.
According to publicly available information, the US deployed the RQ-170 stealth unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, nicknamed the "Kandahar Beast," in this operation. It has a long history of high-altitude, long-duration surveillance and real-time intelligence gathering. The following are some of the military operations and uses of the RQ-170:
- The intelligence and surveillance mission prior to the 2011 operation to kill Osama bin Laden was used to gather information on the activity patterns of target buildings, personnel entering and leaving, and the surrounding air defense situation, serving as an important source of intelligence for U.S. special forces operations.
- Pakistan's border counterterrorism surveillance mission: to monitor high-value terrorist targets, including al-Qaeda and Taliban-related activities.
- For intelligence support purposes within the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) system.
(The raid shocked the world; Trump: The US will temporarily "take over" Venezuela)
Five US defense stocks to watch in the Maduro manhunt
1. Lockheed Martin (LMT) — A major contractor for military aircraft and advanced systems.
Lockheed Martin is one of the largest defense contractors in the United States, with an order backlog exceeding $150 billion and a robust financial performance. Its products encompass large military platforms such as fighter jets (e.g., the F-35), missile defense systems, reconnaissance and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and space and missile defense. The RQ-170 stealth UAV, currently under development and manufacturing by the company, is a testament to its technological capabilities.
Technological highlights include AI-driven predictive maintenance for fighter jets, a $500 million contract for vertical launch systems (VLS) with delivery expected by the end of 2026, and a $1.7 billion deal to benefit from geopolitical tensions, as well as the IRST arms sale to Taiwan. LMT's stock price has risen over 21% from its low of $410.74 last year to $497.07.
2. RTX (RTX Corp.) — A comprehensive supplier of missiles, air defense, and aerospace.
RTX, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies, is a major U.S. defense and aerospace company. Its core businesses include missile systems, air defense radars, jet engines, and aerospace components. The company's core businesses encompass three major divisions: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney Engines, and Raytheon Defense, providing Patriot missiles, SM-6 missiles, GTF turbofan engines, and aircraft maintenance systems.
RTX's revenue in Q3 2025 increased by 6% year-on-year to $20.1 billion, with a gross margin remaining stable at 20%. Its stock price has risen from a low of $112.27 last year to $187.25, an increase of more than 67%.
3. Northrop Grumman (NOC) — A major aerospace integration and high-tech defense company
Northrop Grumman is a global aerospace and defense technology giant, with its main products including the B-21 stealth bomber, unmanned aerial vehicles, and space systems. The company's business covers four main divisions: aerospace, defense, mission systems, and space, with US military-related orders accounting for approximately 86% of its revenue.
With the B-21 mass production progressing and supported by global defense demand, order visibility remains high. Meanwhile, the company has continued to increase its investment in Taiwan in recent years, with an annual investment of approximately US$100 million, deepening its supply chain and engineering capabilities in the region. The company expects revenue growth in the mid-single digits in 2026 and has already raised its 2025 profit forecast, indicating robust operating momentum.
NOC's stock price has risen from a low of $426.24 last year to $585.66, an increase of over 37.25%.
4. General Dynamics (GD) — A supplier of Navy, Army, and information systems.
General Dynamics is a major global defense and aerospace supplier, with core businesses covering naval submarines, army armored vehicles, and defense information systems. The company's business is divided into four main divisions: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technology. Its products include Gulfstream business jets, Virginia-class nuclear submarines, M1 Abrams armored vehicles, and C4ISR solutions. The US government is the company's primary source of revenue.
General Dynamics is also maintaining steady operational momentum, supported by a $92.6 billion order backlog. The company's revenue for the third quarter of 2025 is projected to increase by 10.6% year-over-year to $12.9 billion, with aerospace deliveries growing by 30.3% and naval business growing by 13.8%. Benefiting from global military demand and a booming high-end business jet market, General Dynamics' stock price has performed strongly this year, rising from a low of $239.2 in 2025 to $343.4 today, an increase of over 43%.
5. L3Harris Technologies (LHX) — A supplier of military electronics, communications, and sensing systems.
L3Harris is a leading global defense and aerospace technology supplier, focusing on four main areas: integrated mission systems, space and airborne, communications, and aviation. Its order backlog has climbed to a record high of $36.3 billion. The company's products encompass ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) equipment, electronic warfare equipment, tactical communication systems, solid rocket engines, and public safety solutions. Its communications division generated $1.462 billion in revenue in a single quarter, with an operating profit margin of 26.1%. Its space business focuses on infrared sensors and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology.
In terms of operational performance, L3Harris reported an 8% year-over-year increase in revenue in the third quarter of 2025 and raised its full-year revenue guidance to $22 billion, while setting a medium-term target of $23 billion in revenue and $3 billion in free cash flow for 2026. With the continued rise in international defense demand, the company's four business segments have grown simultaneously, making it one of the most watched defense electronics manufacturers in the market. LHX's stock price has risen from a low of $193.09 in 2025 to $304.48, an increase of over 57%.
This article , which discusses five key US defense stocks worth watching in the Maduro manhunt, first appeared on ABMedia .
