Aerospace Industry Today
Aircraft Weapons Market Size Projected to Climb from USD 11.5 Billion in 2024 to USD 28.3 Billion by 2035, Driven by Rising Defense Budgets and Global Geopolitical Tensions
Market Growth Overview
Global dynamics are shifting — and so is the demand for sophisticated military capabilities. The Aircraft Weapons Market exemplifies this shift. According to MRFR analysis, the market size for aircraft weapons was projected to be 11.53 billion USD in 2024. The aircraft weapons market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5 between 2025 and 2035, from 12.51 USD billion in 2025 to 28.3 USD billion.
At the heart of this expansion lie rising global defense budgets, accelerating geopolitical tensions, and a widespread military push to modernize aerial arsenals. Nations worldwide are reassessing their strategic postures — and aircraft weapons have emerged as critical investments in deterrence, defense readiness, and force projection.
Major Players: Lockheed Martin (US), Northrop Grumman (US), Raytheon Technologies (US), BAE Systems (GB), General Dynamics (US), Thales Group (FR), Leonardo (IT), Rheinmetall (DE), Saab (SE)
Key Drivers: Geopolitics, Modernization & Technological Evolution
- Geopolitical Uncertainty and Defence Spending
As global tensions escalate — across regions from Asia to the Middle East to Eastern Europe — countries are ramping up defense allocations. This trend fuels procurement of advanced aerial weaponry, including missiles, smart bombs, countermeasure systems, and more.
- Shift Toward Advanced, Precision‑Guided Munitions
Modern conflict increasingly demands precision. The move toward-guided weapons — such as GPS‑guided, laser‑guided, inertial, or autonomous systems — reflects a shift from blunt force to strategic accuracy. This transition is boosting demand for next-generation aircraft weapons.
- Rise of UAVs and Diverse Aircraft Platforms
Weaponization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and integration of advanced armaments onto fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft are reshaping the market. As more platforms adopt weapons systems, demand trends widen beyond traditional fighter jets and bombers.
Market Segmentation: Variety Across Types
The aircraft weapons market is not monolithic — it spans across various categories, catering to different mission profiles and platforms. According to MRFR, segmentation includes:
- By Weapon Type: Air-to-Air weapons, Air-to-Ground weapons, Anti-Ship weapons, Countermeasures
- By Guidance System: GPS-guided, Laser-guided, Inertial-guided, Autonomous, Others
- By Range: Short-range, Medium-range, Long-range
- By Aircraft Platform: Fixed-wing aircraft, Rotary-wing aircraft, UAVs
- By End-Use: Military, Army, Navy, Law Enforcement, Security Agencies (some weapons even have civilian or civil‑security applications)
Forecast Insight: What the Numbers Suggest
MRFR’s projection to USD 28.3 billion by 2035 underscores not only a quantitative increase but a qualitative transformation in aerial warfare capabilities.
A compound annual growth of 8.51% suggests steady, sustained demand over more than a decade — reflecting long-term defense strategies rather than short-term spikes. As countries modernize fleets, phase out legacy weapons, and invest in smart, precision-guided, and autonomous weapons systems, the market’s upward trajectory seems poised to continue.
Moreover, the growing interest in UAV-based systems — cheaper to produce, harder to detect, and more flexible — points to a future where unmanned platforms may carry a larger share of air-delivered firepower.
Strategic Implications for Defence Industry and Governments
- For Defence Manufacturers & Contractors: There’s a growing opportunity to innovate — especially in guided, autonomous, or UAV‑compatible weapons. Tech firms that focus on guidance systems, countermeasure solutions, and smart ordinance will find expanding demand.
- For Governments & Defence Planners: Diversified procurement strategies — balancing fixed-wing jets, helicopters, and UAV platforms — will ensure flexibility and readiness across mission types: air superiority, ground attack, maritime operations, and surveillance.
- For Policy & Strategic Analysts: The steep forecast signals a global trend toward modernization and militarization of air arsenals. This could impact geopolitical stability, defense alliances, and arms control frameworks.
Conclusion
The global Aircraft Weapons Market — valued at USD 11.5 billion in 2024 — is charting a soaring course toward USD 28.3 billion by 2035, thanks to escalating defense budgets, advanced weapons adoption, and evolving security challenges.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Market Introduction
Market Dynamics
Market Segmentation
Regional Analysis
Competitive Landscape
Future Outlook
Conclusion
Appendix
Discover more research Reports on Aerospace & Defense by :
Aerospace Composites Market Research Overview
Military Satellite Market Research Overview
Satellite Manufacturing And Launch Market Research Overview
Commercial Airport Baggage Handling Systems Market Research Overview
Air Cargo Security Screening Market Research Overview
Aircraft Seating Market Research Overview
Military Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems Market Research Overview
About :
At (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.
MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.
Contact Us:
(part of Wantstats Research and Media Private Limited),
99 Hudson Street,5Th Floor, New York, New York 10013, United States of America
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫:
(855) 661-4441 (US)
+44 1720 412 167 (UK)
+91 2269738890 (APAC)
𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: info@marketresearchfuture.com
Share on Social Media
Other Industry News
Ready to start publishing
Sign Up today!
