Global business engineering research and development (ER&D) spending is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8%–9% from 2023 to 2030, compared to a CAGR of 7%–8% during 2020 to 2023, according to nasscom. Despite the dynamic macroeconomic environment in 2024, ER&D spending is expected to demonstrate resilience across various industries. This growth is driven by market stability and a worldwide emphasis on digital innovation. nasscom states that by 2030, the market size for ER&D is expected to reach $1.8 trillion, spurred by a renewed interest in the segment, increasing demand for digital products and services, and the widespread adoption of new technologies.
This intensified focus on ER&D is evident globally as businesses recognize the need for accelerated investment in this area. According to nasscom, the demand for digital engineering is a major force behind this surge, expected to account for approximately 65% of ER&D spending by 2030, up from 45% in 2023. The integration of digital layers with traditional products, or their supplementation, is driving a significant push in ER&D. Companies are seeing improved outcomes for both themselves and their consumers through this approach.
Several factors are contributing to the rising ER&D intensity. Global climate targets and evolving regulations are driving efforts to reduce carbon footprints, build sustainable products, and adopt green energy solutions. Generative engineering, powered by AI, is playing a crucial role in this transformation by automating and optimizing design processes across industries such as automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Additionally, there is a growing trend of combining products with services across various sectors, including heavy equipment, automotive, and energy. This has resulted in a new approach to ER&D that focuses on building a whole product. For instance, in the aerospace and defense sectors, key factors driving increased ER&D spending include the shift to more fuel-efficient aircraft, addressing cybersecurity concerns, increased use of automation, leveraging additive manufacturing (for instance, 3D printing), and exploring urban air mobility solutions. Financial pressures, global push toward sustainability, supply chain disruptions, worker shortages, and changing customer expectations are pushing enterprises to accelerate Industry 4.0 adoption and reduce production and R&D costs through IT/OT convergence using digital twins, AI, and predictive analytics, and optimizing operational costs.
Specifically, in the aerospace and defense sectors, ER&D spending is projected to reach $90–$120 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7%–8%, according to nasscom. This growth will be driven by a strong focus on additive manufacturing and advanced technologies in defense. The ongoing emphasis on innovation and technological advancements will continue to fuel the growth of ER&D spending in these critical sectors. ER&D services can command higher profit margins due to the specialized skills and expertise required and the high value they deliver while IT services typically have lower profit margins as compared to ER&D.
The aerospace and defense sector has experienced a rapid digital transformation due to supply chain disruptions, which were further accelerated by the pandemic. This, in turn, created a pressing requirement for investments and advancements in technology initiatives to enable business sustainment. The defense segment specifically has seen increased spending caused by geopolitical turmoil, fueling investments in digital transformation.
Cognizant Technology Solutions recently agreed to acquire Belcan LLC for $1.3 billion in a cash and stock deal. This would be the service provider’s second-largest acquisition to date based on purchase price. The business Cognizant is acquiring, which is expected to generate over $800 million in revenue on an annualized basis and includes a workforce of 6,500 employees, serves notable clients, including Boeing, General Motors, Rolls-Royce, NASA, and the US Navy. About 76% of Belcan’s revenue comes from the aerospace and defense sector.
There are other industry players as well who have made similar moves in the ER&D space. For instance, Infosys’ recent $480 million acquisition of Germany’s in-tech was one of its largest deals. The German automotive engineering firm reported $180 million in revenue in 2023. HCLTech also acquired ASAP Group, another German automotive engineering services company. These moves reflect a broader industry trend within the $254 billion technology services industry, which grew at 3.8% last year, its slowest pace in five years, according to nasscom. While many service providers have focused on the automotive vertical due to its resilience during economic slowdowns, Cognizant’s acquisition of Belcan represents a strategic shift toward the aerospace and defense vertical. This sector experienced the fastest outsourcing growth at 7.4%, driven by increased defense spending and a post-pandemic recovery in aviation and aerospace. Additionally, the vertical is less saturated compared to the automotive sector, which will provide Cognizant with a competitive advantage. This acquisition also helps Cognizant diversify its revenue streams, which are currently heavily weighted toward the BFSI and healthcare sectors.
Belcan’s strength lies in its ER&D capabilities, with a significant portion of its revenue coming from this space. Cognizant, known for its global delivery models, conducts a substantial amount of its ER&D work in low-cost offshore centers such as India and Eastern Europe. In contrast, Belcan’s client base and delivery operations are primarily in North America. This geographical complementarity provides Cognizant with a competitive edge. Moreover, Belcan’s workforce consists of highly skilled engineers, with over 40% being hardcore engineers possessing more than 20 years of engineering expertise. Belcan also maintains academic partnerships and provides onshore engineering training, which differs from Cognizant’s offshore talent training model. The synergies between Belcan’s OT and Cognizant’s IT capabilities offer additional value, enabling Cognizant to introduce its offerings to Belcan’s existing clients. The Belcan business Cognizant is acquiring, which is debt free, is expected to generate $800 million in revenue in 2024 for Cognizant and brings certified engineering capabilities in the federal sector. Further down the line, Cognizant plans on helping Belcan scale its delivery with software product engineering, underlying enterprise platforms, and government cloud infrastructure. Notably, 27% of the top 30 clients in the aerospace and defense sector are with Belcan, further enhancing Cognizant’s market position.
As part of the acquisition deal, Cognizant will retain the Belcan brand and operate it as a separate entity. Over the next three years, Cognizant expects to build on the existing federal business of Belcan by leveraging our depth of capabilities and scale of Cognizant. This acquisition aligns with Cognizant’s strategy to expand its ER&D capabilities and geographical reach, particularly in North America. By integrating Belcan’s model-based systems engineering expertise, Cognizant is well-positioned to serve government and commercial clients with enhanced technical solutions.
In conclusion, the global ER&D landscape is poised for significant growth, with digital engineering leading the charge. Companies are increasingly integrating digital technologies with traditional products, driving improved outcomes and greater value for consumers. Climate targets and sustainability efforts are further enhancing ER&D intensity, while AI-powered generative engineering is revolutionizing design processes across industries. As we move forward, the combined trend of products and services will reshape ER&D strategies, particularly in sectors like aerospace and defense, where additive manufacturing and advanced technologies are key drivers of growth. Cognizant’s acquisition of Belcan represents a strategic move to bolster its ER&D capabilities, expand its market reach, and diversify its revenue streams, positioning itself strongly in the fast-growing aerospace and defense vertical. Overall, the future of ER&D looks promising, with substantial opportunities for industry players and economies worldwide.
By Sahaj Kumar, Associate Research Director, Avasant