How Has The Light WeaponsMarket Size Evolved In Recent Years?
The light weapons market has seen considerable growth due to a variety of factors.
• The market size for light weapons has been experiencing robust growth in the past few years. The market, which was valued at $13 billion in 2024, is projected to expand to $14.18 billion in 2025, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.1%.
Variables like counter-terrorism operations, law enforcement requirements, the proliferation of small arms, geopolitical tensions, and firearms commerce are significant contributors to the growth seen in the historic period.
What Is The Projected Growth Of The Light Weapons Market?
The light weapons market is expected to maintain its strong growth trajectory in upcoming years.
• The market size for light weapons is projected to witness a robust growth over the upcoming years, reaching $19.48 billion by 2029 with an 8.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
Factors contributing to this growth within the forecast period include unmanned aerial systems (uas), biosecurity hazards, worldwide health emergencies, threats from chemical and biological protection, and demilitarization efforts. Major trends anticipated during the forecast duration comprise of modular weapon systems, non-lethal weaponry, reduced size and compact design, inclusion of electro-optical sights, and remote weapons stations (rws).
What Are The Primary Growth Drivers In The Light Weapons Market?
The escalation in occurrences of terroristic acts and disputes, coupled with the surge in unlawful activities, will stimulate the expansion of the light weapons industry. Acts of terrorism involve the employment or intimidation of violence to incite fear amongst a large crowd of individuals, not just the immediate victims. Light weaponry such as handguns, rifles, sub-machine guns, assault rifles, and light machine guns are utilized by law enforcement agencies to curb terrorism. The burgeoning rates of terrorism, conflicts, and illegal conducts will invigorate a growing demand for light weapons as a mean of suppression. For example, in March 2023, the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2023 reported a more than twofold increase in fatalities, albeit from a somewhat low benchmark, from nine deaths in 2021 to 19 in 2022, with 11 of these transpiring in the US during a terrorist onslaught. Consequently, the proliferating episodes of terrorist activities and conflicts, along with the upswing in illicit activities, will foster the advancement of the light weapons market.
What Is The Segmentation Of The Global Light Weapons Market?
The light weapons market covered in this report is segmented –
1) By Type: HMG, Light Cannon, MANPAT, Mortar, MANPAD, Grenades, Missiles, Launcher, ATW, Landmine
2) By Application: Defense, Homeland Security
3) By Technology: Guided, Unguided
4) By Materials: Steel, Polymers
Subsegments:
1) By HMG (Heavy Machine Guns): .50 Caliber Machine Guns, 7.62mm Machine Guns
2) By Light Cannon: Automatic Cannons, Low-Caliber Cannons
3) By MANPAT (Man-Portable Anti-Tank): Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), Shoulder-Fired Anti-Tank Weapons
4) By Mortar: Light Mortars, Medium Mortars
5) By MANPAD (Man-Portable Air Defense): Infrared Guided Missiles, Surface-To-Air Missiles
6) By Grenades: Hand Grenades, Rifle Grenades,
7) By Missiles: Surface-To-Surface Missiles, Surface-To-Air Missiles
8) By Launcher: Grenade Launchers, Rocket Launchers
9) By ATW (Anti-Tank Weapons): Recoil-less Rifles, Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs)
10) By Landmine: Anti-Personnel Mines, Anti-Tank Mines
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What Emerging Trends Are Shaping The Light Weapons Market Landscape?
Leading companies in the light weapons market are directing their efforts towards innovations in technology, such as fully automated machine guns. This strategy is expected to augment their market presence and provide them a competitive advantage. Lightweight and capable of continuous firing as long as the trigger is held back, fully automatic light machine guns are perfect for prolonged use in military or law enforcement settings. For instance, Caracal International LLC, a firearm manufacturer based in the UAE, introduced the CARACAL LIGHT MACHINE GUN 556 (CLMG 556) at the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX 2023) in February 2023. The CLMG 556, the first of its kind in the UAE, has been designed by prioritizing user experience and incorporates innovative rapid prototyping and precision manufacturing techniques. It comes fitted with a five-position telescopic stock, an adjustable cheekpiece, and a long rail for add-ons. It also includes a fixed iron sight with range adjustment, a built-in bipod with adjustable height, and a hammer-forged chrome-lined barrel that comes in three interchangeable lengths (13”, 16”, and 18”) improving its durability.
Who Are the Key Players in the Light Weapons Market?
Major companies operating in the light weapons market include:
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Alliant Techsystems Inc.
• Rheinmetall AG
• Raytheon Technologies Corporation
• Thales Group
• BAE Systems plc
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• General Dynamics Corporation
• FN Herstal Group
• Heckler & Koch GmbH
• Kalashnikov Concern
• SIG Sauer Inc.
• Colt's Manufacturing LLC
• Beretta SpA
• Smith & Wesson Brands Inc.
• Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc.
• Taurus Holdings LLC
• Savage Arms
• Steyr Arms
• IWI Ltd.
• Springfield Armory Inc.
• Ceská zbrojovka AS
• Mauser Jagdwaffen GmbH
• Radom LLC
• Serbska Fabrika Automobila
• Arsenal Inc.
• Zastava Arms
• China North Industries Group Corporation Limited.
• HS Produkt d.o.o.
What are the Regional Insights into the Light Weapons Market?
North America was the largest region in the light weapons market in 2024. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the light weapons market report include Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
