Willis, a WTW business, has launched a new global “Defense and Security” initiative, a coordinated, sector-led platform, led by Jennifer Caldarella, bringing together capabilities across its specialties and geographies to help defence and security organisations understand interconnected risks, strengthen resilience, and make better-informed decisions.
The firm is providing a coordinated defence and security sector focus, giving clients access to integrated expertise across risk transfer, risk advisory and analytics, cyber and data security, crisis management, claims, risk engineering, operational resilience, workforce risk, and capital and transaction advisory.
Caldarella, Global Defence Lead, Willis, said, “The defense and security sector is entering one of the most significant investment cycles in its history. But investment alone does not create capability. Organizations must navigate technology transformation, cyber risk, operational resilience, regulatory complexity and long delivery timelines to realize the full value of those investments.
“The challenge is not only where to invest, but how to manage the risks that can delay progress or undermine outcomes. Our role is to help clients understand those risks and build the resilience needed to deliver on their strategic objectives, both today and in the years ahead.”
Willis sees an opportunity to help clients as risks in the defence and security sector grow due to its scale. Willis explained that the world’s 100 largest arms-producing and military services companies generated a record $679 billion in arms revenues in 20241, yet pressure on the industrial base that supports them remains significant.
In the US, defence industrial security oversight recorded 815 security violations during the 2025 financial year and 1,032 unresolved security vulnerabilities at cleared contractor facilities since September 20252. Global military expenditure reached nearly $2.9 trillion in 20253 and could approach $4.7-6.6 trillion by 20354, but Willis said capital alone does not create capability.
Major US defence acquisition programs already take over 12 years on average to deliver initial capability, widening the gap between investment and operational readiness. Closing it requires organisations to manage cyber, operational, supply chain, regulatory and contracting requirements, constrained insurance capacity and resilience risks that can delay or undermine delivery.
Drones, autonomous maritime technology, AI-enabled warfare systems, and advanced digital capabilities are also bringing new risk dimensions. This is driving demand for specialised risk advice, insurance solutions and resilience capabilities tailored to fast-moving, interconnected exposures.
Alastair Swift, Head of Global Specialties, Willis, said, “The defense and security sector plays an increasingly important role in national resilience, economic stability and technological innovation. Organizations are making critical decisions against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, rapid change and evolving regulation.
“Our Defense and Security initiative is a long-term commitment to the sector. It brings together the breadth of Willis’ expertise and global market access to meet clients’ priorities, challenges and ambitions, helping them better understand, quantify and mitigate their risks and secure the most appropriate insurance and capital solutions available.”
