Light Weapons Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2024 - 2029 |
| CAGR | 6.00 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Latin America |
| Largest Market | North America |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Light Weapons Market Analysis
The light weapons market is expected to register a CAGR of more than 6% during the forecast period (2022 - 2031).
The COVID-19 pandemic has had minimal impact on the light weapons market as the procurement programs of weapons by the armed forces remained on track.
The widening geopolitical rift in the Asia-Pacific and Middle-East and African regions has driven nations to increase their annual defense budget and expenditure to support the modernization of the arsenal of their armed forces. The characteristic advantage of light weapons to penetrate and disable heavily armored threats is expected to propel the growth of the market.
However, arms trafficking remains a major growth deterrence factor for the light weapons market as the increasing availability of light weapons in the black market leads to the development of organized crime, terrorism, human trafficking, and piracy, among others, which pose a security threat to a nation's integrity while presenting significant challenges for law enforcement agencies and governments on a global scale.
Light Weapons Market Trends
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Light Weapons Market according to our research experts:
Evolving Battlefield Engagement Scenarios Driving the Demand for New Generation Weapon Systems
There has been a radical change in battlefield engagement scenarios over the past few years. Urban warfare has been witnessing major growth due to the global trend toward urbanization, increasingly volatile domestic political conditions in developing countries, and changes in the scenarios of armed conflicts. The evolution of the battlefield environment has necessitated the subsequent upgrade and customization of armament. The need for high-precision, lightweight, and compact weapon systems has led innovators to invest considerable resources in the development of sophisticated weapon systems. The evolution of technology has led to the development of guided weapons with a high target hit ratio, which is supported through a range of accessories such as weapon sights, night vision devices, aiming lasers, laser rangefinders, and fire control systems. For instance, in late 2021, the Bangladesh Navy received QW-18A MANPADS from China. The QW-18A MANPADS is an improved version of the QW-18 that features electric-servo control actuators, which will increase the guidance and flight characteristics that will offer the air defense system better capabilities against cruise missiles at supersonic speed. Such developments are expected to drive the market in focus during the forecast period.
North America Dominated the Market in 2021
The North American region currently has the highest share in the market. This growth is driven by the increasing military spending of the United States due to political unrest with China and Russia, which is propelling the country's investments in expanding and modernizing its fielded weaponry with advanced technologies to strengthen its armed forces. For instance, the United States Department of Defense is allocating a budget for the acquisition of the Javelin Advanced Anti-Tank Weapon System to equip dismounted soldiers as the only man-portable, fire-and-forget system. The US DoD has allocated a budget of more than USD 100 million every year since FY2019. Similarly, in 2020, the US Army Contracting Command awarded a firm-fixed-price contract worth USD 33.6 million to Colorado-based Capco. Under the contract, the company will provide 40mm M320 and 40mm M320A1 grenade launchers to replace the M203 grenade launcher in service. The delivery of the weapons is expected to be completed by April 2025. Canada also has been significantly investing in the modernization of its arms to enhance the capabilities of armed forces. On this note, in January 2020, the Canadian MoD announced the procurement of 3,626 C6A1 FLEX General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) from Colt Canada to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces continue to have a modern and reliable weapon to support training and operations. Later, in April 2021, the Canadian Army announced that over 300 guns were defective and returned to the company. Such investments in the modernization of weapons and procurement of advanced light weapons in the region are anticipated to propel the growth of the market during the forecast period.
Light Weapons Industry Overview
The light weapons market is highly fragmented, with the presence of many manufacturers that offer weapon systems and ammunition for HMGs, grenades and grenade launchers, mortars, MANPATS, MANPADS, and other explosives. General Dynamics Corporation was a dominant market player in the base year as the company benefitted from a strong presence in North America, which is currently the largest market for light weapons. The other major players in the market are Saab AB, MBDA Inc., and Rheinmetall AG. With investments in research and development, companies have been expanding their portfolios with the addition of new product offerings. For instance, in February 2021, Sarsılmaz, one of the prominent small-arms manufacturers in Turkey, announced that the SAR 762 MT-type 12.7 mm heavy machine guns, a new indigenously manufactured machine gun, completed all test stages and will enter the mass production stage. The new heavy machine gun can be utilized by infantry teams and can also be mounted on various armored vehicles like main battle tanks. Such developments are expected to help the companies expand their market shares and presence across the world. Also, with several local players increasing their capabilities in the light weapons industry, the market studied is expected to become more competitive. Hence, developing technologically advanced products is deemed vital for sustaining the market share in the light weapons market during the forecast period.
Light Weapons Market Leaders
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Saab AB
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MBDA
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Rheinmetall AG
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General Dynamics Corporation
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Rostec
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Light Weapons Market News
- In February 2022, the Indian Army signed a contract worth INR 3,131.82 crore (USD 413.50 million) with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to manufacture and supply Konkurs-M anti-tank guided missiles to destroy armored vehicles equipped with explosive reactive armors. The contract is expected to run over a period of three years.
- In January 2022, the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command was approved by the Ministry of Defence of Finland for the procurement of new rifle systems that will be used by snipers as well as the precision and range of infantry sections. Sako, a Finland-based company, was selected to provide semi-automatic Sniper Rifle 23 and the Designated Marksman Rifle 23.
- In July 2021, the US Department of Defense announced that it had signed an agreement for the supply of Stinger anti-aircraft guided missiles with Raytheon Technologies Corporation under a contract worth USD 321 million. The work under the contract will be completed by June 2026.
- In May 2021, the Spanish Army awarded a contract worth more than USD 25 million to the company Instalaza for the purchase of a C90 shoulder-fired and one-man-operated, rocket-propelled grenade launcher. The contract includes the purchase of three versions of its C90-CR and three models of its C90-CS weapon systems as well as the training systems.
Light Weapons Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Study Assumptions
- 1.2 Scope of the Study
- 1.3 Currency Conversion Rates for USD
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- 3.1 Market Size and Forecast, Global, 2018 - 2031
- 3.2 Market Share by Type, 2021
- 3.3 Market Share by Technology, 2021
- 3.4 Market Share by Geography, 2021
- 3.5 Structure of the Market and Key Participants
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
- 4.1 Market Overview
- 4.2 Market Drivers
- 4.3 Market Restraints
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4.4 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.4.1 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
- 4.4.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products
- 4.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION (Market Size and Forecast by Value - USD billion, 2018 - 2031)
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5.1 Type
- 5.1.1 Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs)
- 5.1.2 Grenades and Grenade Launchers
- 5.1.3 Mortars
- 5.1.4 Man-portable Anti-tank Systems (MANPATS)
- 5.1.5 Man-portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS)
- 5.1.6 Other Types
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5.2 Technology
- 5.2.1 Guided
- 5.2.1.1 Laser Guided
- 5.2.1.2 Infrared Guided
- 5.2.1.3 Satellite Guided
- 5.2.1.4 Semi-automatic Command to Line of Sight
- 5.2.2 Unguided
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5.3 Geography
- 5.3.1 North America
- 5.3.1.1 United States
- 5.3.1.2 Canada
- 5.3.2 Europe
- 5.3.2.1 United Kingdom
- 5.3.2.2 France
- 5.3.2.3 Germany
- 5.3.2.4 Russia
- 5.3.2.5 Rest of Europe
- 5.3.3 Asia-Pacific
- 5.3.3.1 China
- 5.3.3.2 India
- 5.3.3.3 Japan
- 5.3.3.4 South Korea
- 5.3.3.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
- 5.3.4 Latin America
- 5.3.4.1 Brazil
- 5.3.4.2 Rest of Latin America
- 5.3.5 Middle-East and Africa
- 5.3.5.1 Saudi Arabia
- 5.3.5.2 United Arab Emirates
- 5.3.5.3 Israel
- 5.3.5.4 Rest of Middle-East and Africa
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 6.1 Vendor Market Share
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6.2 Company Profiles
- 6.2.1 FN Herstal SA
- 6.2.2 Saab AB
- 6.2.3 Raytheon Technologies Corporation
- 6.2.4 MBDA Inc.
- 6.2.5 Thales Group
- 6.2.6 BAE Systems PLC
- 6.2.7 Rheinmetall AG
- 6.2.8 Rostec
- 6.2.9 Lockheed Martin Corporation
- 6.2.10 Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd
- 6.2.11 Denel SOC Ltd
- 6.2.12 General Dynamics Corporation
- 6.2.13 Heckler & Koch GmbH
- 6.2.14 Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
** Subject To AvailablityLight Weapons Industry Segmentation
Light weapons are generally defined as a class of firearms that are for use by two or more persons. These weapons can be man-portable as well as vehicle-mounted. The light weapons market is segmented by type, technology, and geography. By type, the market is segmented into heavy machine guns (HMGs), grenades and grenade launchers, mortars, man-portable anti-tank systems (MANPATS), man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), and other types. The other types segment includes landmines, anti-material rifles, and other explosives used by the armed forces. The market is segmented by technology into guided and unguided. The report also covers the market sizes and forecasts for the Light Weapons Market in various countries across the major regions. For each segment, the market sizing and forecasts have been done based on value (USD billion).
| Type | Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs) | |
| Grenades and Grenade Launchers | ||
| Mortars | ||
| Man-portable Anti-tank Systems (MANPATS) | ||
| Man-portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) | ||
| Other Types | ||
| Technology | Guided | Laser Guided |
| Infrared Guided | ||
| Satellite Guided | ||
| Semi-automatic Command to Line of Sight | ||
| Technology | Unguided | |
| Geography | North America | United States |
| Canada | ||
| Geography | Europe | United Kingdom |
| France | ||
| Germany | ||
| Russia | ||
| Rest of Europe | ||
| Geography | Asia-Pacific | China |
| India | ||
| Japan | ||
| South Korea | ||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||
| Geography | Latin America | Brazil |
| Rest of Latin America | ||
| Geography | Middle-East and Africa | Saudi Arabia |
| United Arab Emirates | ||
| Israel | ||
| Rest of Middle-East and Africa |
Light Weapons Market Research FAQs
What is the current Light Weapons Market size?
The Light Weapons Market is projected to register a CAGR of greater than 6% during the forecast period (2024-2029)
Who are the key players in Light Weapons Market?
Saab AB, MBDA, Rheinmetall AG, General Dynamics Corporation and Rostec are the major companies operating in the Light Weapons Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Light Weapons Market?
Latin America is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in Light Weapons Market?
In 2024, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Light Weapons Market.
What years does this Light Weapons Market cover?
The report covers the Light Weapons Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Light Weapons Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Light Weapons System Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Light Weapons System market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Light Weapons System analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
