The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) increased by 6.8% and provided total returns, including dividends, of 10.32% last year.
Industrials was the second-best performer among the 11 ASX 200 market sectors, rising 10.2% with total returns of 13.98%.
Let's check out the top performing ASX 200 industrial shares of the year.
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5 best ASX 200 industrial shares for capital growth
These were the five best-performing shares for price growth in 2025.
1. DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)
ASX 200 defence share Droneshield leapt 300% to close at $3.08 on 31 December.
That was actually a major retreat on the industrial share's 52-week high of $6.61.
Droneshield is riding the wave of increased global defence spending.
However, investors were alarmed in November when CEO Oleg Vornik sold more than $49 million worth of shares.
In response, DroneShield announced a mandatory minimum shareholding policy for all directors and senior managers.
2. Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB)
Fellow ASX 200 defence share, Austal, increased 116% to close at $6.69 per share on 31 December.
Austal's 52-week high last year was $8.60 per share.
Austal is Australia's largest defence exporter.
Its clients include the Australian Navy and the US Navy, and it owns shipyards in the US, Australia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Austal announced several new contracts last year, including a $1.029 billion design and construct contract for the Australian Army.
In December, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approved an application lodged by a long-time suitor for Austal to buy up to a 19.9% stake.
South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Corp is a Fortune 500 company the offered to buy Austal for $2.825 per share in cash in 2024.
3. Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND)
The Monadelphous share price ripped 89% to close the year at $26.51. Its 52-week high was $27.83.
Monadelphous provides engineering, construction, and maintenance services in the resources, energy, and industrial sectors.
At the company's AGM in November, chair Rob Velletri said Monadelphous had secured about $2.3 billion in new contracts and extensions in FY25, which was a record, plus another $570 million since the end of the financial year.
The following month, Monadelphous announced a $250 million contract with Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) for it Brockman Syncline 1 iron ore development.
4. Silex Systems Ltd (ASX: SLX)
The Silex Systems share price soared 71% to finish the year at $8.63.
The industrial share's annual high was $10.85 per share.
The nuclear technology developer ascended into the benchmark index in the December rebalance.
My colleague, Leigh Gant, describes Silex Systems as "one of the most fascinating energy technology stories on the ASX".
The company is working on one of the most advanced enrichment processes in the world.
Its proprietary SILEX laser system separates uranium isotopes more efficiently than traditional centrifuge methods.
The system recently gained TRL-6 validation, and could redefine how nuclear fuel is produced in the future.
5. Ventia Services Group Ltd (ASX: VNT)
The Ventia Services share price rose 65% to close 2025 at $5.95 per share. The 52-week high was $6.05.
Ventia is a leading infrastructure maintenance services provider in Australia and New Zealand.
Ventia announced several new contracts in 2025.
This included a $100 million NSW Whole‑of‑Government cleaning contract for Western Sydney, with a potential one-year extension.
During the August earnings season, Ventia reported a 19.4% lift in the value of work in hand to a record $20.6 billion for 1H FY25.
