Global Airborne Weapon System Market 2024–2033

Reports Description

The Global Airborne Weapon System Market was valued at USD 85.6 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 129.6 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period 2024 – 2033.

Airborne weapon systems are advanced military hardware and technology deployed in aerial mode against enemy targets. They include various missiles, bombs, rockets, and torpedoes.

Airborne Weapon System Market: Growth Drivers

Growing global conflicts and terrorism activities

The growing conflicts between non-state actors and terrorist organisations are boosting the demand for advanced military equipment and systems to repel attacks and prevent territories and humans from enemy attacks. Many countries are adapting and developing airborne weapon systems as part of their national and defence security strategies.

Many developing and developed countries across the globe are heavily investing in airborne weapon systems and air forces, with contemporary aircraft outfitted to deter prospective enemies and respond quickly to new challenges. The changing landscape of wars and geological conflicts propels the demand for unconventional war tactics such as airborne weapon systems. For instance, the recent war between Russia and Ukraine has witnessed massive usage of airborne weapon systems.

Russian Military used dozens of missile attacks on Ukraine to enter Eastern Ukraine. Furthermore, Ukraine also used mobile air defence systems to move from place to place and reinforce threatened areas. During war and conflicts, airborne weapon systems technologies precisely target enemy targets and hostile assets and minimise collateral harm, increasing operational efficiency and lowering civilian deaths.

Terrorist and separatist organisations are heavily investing in aerial weapon systems. One of the most famous examples of aerial terrorism is the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre (WTC) in the United States. Recently, in January 2018, a swarm of 13 homemade aerial weapon systems attacked two Russian military bases in Syria.

The increasing dangers posed by global conflict and terrorism drive demand for innovative airborne weapon systems, prompting defence organisations and businesses to invest in advanced aerial platforms and ammunition to respond effectively to resulting safety issues.

Rising advancement in national security systems

Due to growing terrorist activities and increasing geopolitical conflicts, every country across the globe is heavily investing in advanced national security systems. Advances in national security systems drive the airborne weapon systems industry by encouraging developing and deploying advanced military capabilities.

As countries strive to strengthen their defence capabilities in response to changing threats, there is a rising emphasis on improving the efficacy, accuracy, and adaptability of aerial weapon systems. Major countries such as the U.S., China, Russia, India, the U.K., France, North Korea, and Germany are heavily investing in advanced national security systems.

For instance, the Government of India has launched various initiatives, such as Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ or the Self-Reliant India initiative, to foster the Indigenous manufacturing development of airborne weapon systems in India supported by a requisite research and development ecosystem. To boost the Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 240 AL-31FP Aero Engines for Su-30MKI aircraft at a cost of over USD 3.8 Bn.

Furthermore, the U.S. government recently launched a policy on lethal autonomous weapon systems. Through this policy, the U.S. government is promoting investment and collaborations in the defence sectors, thereby boosting the overall market growth.

Key players operating in the market are integrating various emerging technologies and, such as machine learning, Artificial Intelligence, advanced electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, and passive data-linked sensors to enhance the precision and accuracy of attacks and avoid collateral damages.  Growing investments in next-generation aerial weapon systems and autonomous fighter jets are boosting the technical innovations in the industry, thereby driving the overall market growth.

Airborne Weapon System Market: Restraints

High production costs and Stringent Regulations

Aerial weapon systems run on various advanced technologies and these weapons and machines are built using specialized materials, precision engineering, costly raw materials and machineries. The prices of these raw materials and equipment are increasing rapidly due to the shortage of these raw materials and rising inflation across the globe. Thus, such factors are the overall production cost of airborne weapon systems, thereby increasing the selling price, reducing the profit margin.

Additionally, demanding quality control systems and regulatory compliance raise production costs. Furthermore, the complexity of aerial weapon systems frequently involves collaboration among various suppliers and subcontractors, resulting in additional layers of coordination and administrative overheads that can raise prices. These R&D costs are subsequently passed on to the production phase, raising the total production expenses.

High manufacturing costs influence affordability and accessibility, especially for defence budgets limited by economic limitations or conflicting objectives. Governments and defence organisations may have difficulties acquiring and maintaining fleets of airborne weapon systems, potentially resulting in delays or cutbacks in procurement programmes.

Stringent regulations on the use of airborne weapon systems by many international organisations, such as the United Nations, high import duties by the WTO on raw materials used in the manufacturing of such weapon systems, and a growing inclination towards peace and regional stability are some of the factors restraining the use of airborne weapon systems, thereby reducing the overall market growth.

Airborne Weapon System Market: Opportunities

Escalating demand for Remote weapon systems

The increasing need for remote weapon systems (RWS) is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the airborne weapon systems industry. RWS provide various benefits, including greater accuracy, situational awareness, and operator safety, by allowing operators to attack targets from a distance. Remote weapon systems are mainly used in many military operations, such as surgical strikes and eliminating terrorist camps.

The key players are integrating various emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning, sensor-based technologies, laser-based technologies and predictive analysis technologies to enhance the speed and accuracy of remote weapon systems. Such technologies improve and foster airborne weapon systems’ offensive and defensive capabilities due to precision-guided weapons technologies. Key players are leveraging deep learning technology for trajectory prediction and interception decisions.

Recently, Zen Technologies launched the versatile Parashu, a remote-controlled weapon system integrated with advanced thermal imaging and anti-drone features. This aerial system can be launched on vehicles and ships, making it highly adaptable for various military and aircraft defence combat scenarios and counter-UAV operations. Zen technology has developed this innovative airborne weapon system in collaboration with AI Turing Technologies, marking a significant step in modernizing India’s defence sector.

Airborne Weapon System Market: Segmentation Analysis

Region, weapon type, and aircraft type are the different market segments for airborne weapon systems worldwide. Based on aircraft type, the market is classified into fighter jets and helicopters. Fighter Jets dominated the market in 2023 with a market share of 57.8% and are expected to keep their dominance during the forecast period 2024-2033. Fighter aircraft play an important role in driving the airborne weapon systems industry for various reasons.

Fighter planes are vital platforms for national defence and military operations, necessitating sophisticated and adaptable armament systems to sustain air supremacy and combat effectiveness. As military engagements change and adversaries create increasingly complex threats, there is an ongoing need for improved airborne weapons to engage a wide range of targets with accuracy and lethality.

Fighter planes are the principal delivery systems for these weapons, which include air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, precision-guided bombs, and standoff weapons. Furthermore, technical developments in fighter aircraft capabilities, such as covert operations, electronic warfare, and network-focused warfare, stimulate the creation of complementing airborne weapon systems to ensure compatibility and combat effectiveness.

Weapon types on the market include bombs, guns, rifles, missiles, and others. Missiles dominated the market in 2023 with a market share of 30.5% and are expected to keep their dominance during the forecast period 2024-2033. Missiles are essential in driving the airborne weapon systems industry because of their mobility, accuracy, and efficiency in modern combat.

As governments upgrade their military and defence capacities, there is an increased need for powerful aerial weapon systems outfitted with advanced missile technology. Missiles allow aircraft to engage targets accurately from a safe distance, increasing combat capabilities while reducing pilot danger.

Moreover, advances in missile technology, including guidance systems, propulsion, and stealth characteristics, have resulted in the creation of next-generation airborne weapon systems capable of engaging a diverse spectrum of targets with greater lethality and precision. As a result, the demand for aircraft equipped with such missile platforms drives growth and development in the airborne weapon systems industry worldwide.

Report Scope

Airborne Weapon System Market: Regional Analysis

By region, the Airborne Weapon System Market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa. North America dominated the global Airborne Weapon System Market in 2023 with a market share of 39.1% and is expected to keep its dominance during the forecast period 2024-2033.

North America is home to some of the world’s major defence companies, including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing, which are pioneering the development of modern aerial weapons systems and technology. Furthermore, as a significant global military power, the United States spends extensively on defence purchasing and refurbishment programmes, such as next-generation fighter planes, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and missile defence systems, which increases demand for airborne weapon systems.

Furthermore, the region benefits from a robust aerospace and defence sector ecosystem that includes research institutions, government agencies, and a competent workforce, supporting innovation and technical improvements in airborne weaponry. Furthermore, strategic alliances and defence collaborations with ally states reinforce North America’s leadership in the aerial weapon systems industry, reinforcing its position as a critical driver of global defence capabilities.

 Airborne Weapon System Market: Recent Developments

• In July 2022, Lockheed Martin produced a compact directed energy weapon for the Air Force Research Lab, a key achievement in the service’s effort to equip a tactical fighter jet with a laser capable of shooting down anti-aircraft missiles.

• In April 2024, the Multi-Function Electronic Warfare Air Large (MFEW) system served as the Army’s sole airborne electronic warfare system, which has limited cyber capacity, organic to combat aviation units and supporting manoeuvre commanders on the ground.

• Two new air-to-surface weapons were introduced at the Airshow China 2022 exhibition in November 2022. The AKF98A looks to be an autonomous precision-guided stand-off missile comparable to Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and MBDA’s Storm Shadow stand-off land-attack cruise missile.

List of the prominent players in the Airborne Weapon System Market:

• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• The Boeing Company
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Raytheon Technologies Corporation
• BAE Systems plc
• Saab AB
• Airbus SE
• Thales Group
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• General Dynamics Corporation
• Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.
• Dassault Aviation SA
• Kongsberg Gruppen ASA
• MBDA
• Textron Inc.
• Hanwha Corporation
• L3Harris Technologies Inc.
• Elbit Systems Ltd.
• Indra Sistemas S.A.
• Others

The Airborne Weapon System Market is segmented as follows:

By Aircraft Type

• Fighter Jets
• Helicopters

By Weapon Type

• Bomb
• Guns
• Rifles
• Missiles
• Others

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Russia
• Italy
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America