Recoilless Rifle Market Report 2026

Recoilless Rifle Market Overview

• Recoilless Rifle market size has reached to $1.13 billion in 2025 • Expected to grow to $1.54 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% • Growth Driver: Rising Defense Budgets Driving Market Growth Through Advanced Military Procurement And Modernization • Market Trend: Advancements In Portable Shoulder-Launched Weapon Systems Enhancing Infantry Capabilities • North America was the largest region in 2025 and Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region.

What Is Covered Under Recoilless Rifle Market?

A recoilless rifle is a type of lightweight artillery weapon designed to eliminate or greatly reduce the recoil typically produced when a projectile is fired. It achieves this by venting propellant gases out the rear of the weapon at the same time the projectile is discharged forward, balancing the forces and preventing the weapon from kicking back significantly. The main types of recoilless rifles are man-portable and vehicle-mounted. Man-portable recoilless rifles are lightweight and designed for single-soldier operation, offering mobility and ease of deployment. These weapons are available in various calibers, including small, medium, and large, and operate using different firing mechanisms such as semi-automatic, automatic, and manual. They serve a range of applications, including defense and law enforcement, and are utilized by both military forces and homeland security agencies.

What Is The Recoilless Rifle Market Growth Forecast?

The recoilless rifle market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.54 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising need for advanced targeting and fire control systems, growth in armored and utility vehicle integration, expansion in defense budgets across emerging markets, adoption of lightweight and high-strength materials, increasing tactical mobility requirements for military operations. Major trends in the forecast period include enhanced mobility and deployment capabilities, improved accuracy and targeting systems, integration with advanced fire control systems, lightweight materials for weapon components, expansion of tactical and vehicle-mounted variants.

Global Recoilless Rifle Market Segmentation

1) By Type: Man-Portable, Vehicle-Mounted 2) By Caliber: Small Caliber, Medium Caliber, Large Caliber 3) By Firing Mechanism: Semi-Automatic, Automatic, Manual 4) By Application: Defense, Law Enforcement 5) By End-User: Military, Homeland Security Subsegments: 1) By Man-Portable: Lightweight Recoilless Rifles, Medium Caliber Recoilless Rifles, Heavy Caliber Recoilless Rifles 2) By Vehicle-Mounted: Armored Vehicle-Mounted Recoilless Rifles, Utility Vehicle-Mounted Recoilless Rifles, Tactical Vehicle-Mounted Recoilless Rifles

What Is The Driver Of The Recoilless Rifle Market?

The increasing defense budget is expected to propel the growth of the recoilless rifle market going forward. Defense budget refers to the funds allocated by a nation's military to purchase, replenish, and maintain its stockpile of bullets, shells, missiles, and other munitions. The defense budget is increasing due to heightened geopolitical tensions, expanded military operations, and the need to restock depleted ammunition supplies. The rise in defense budgets is accelerating recoilless rifle development by funding advanced technologies, increased production, and modernization efforts for enhanced battlefield effectiveness. For instance, in October 2025, according to the House of Commons Library, a UK-based library, Defence spending is projected to reach £62.2 ($72.98) billion in 2025/26, rising further to £73.5 ($86.24) billion by 2028/29. Therefore, the increasing defense budget is driving the growth of the recoilless rifle industry.

Key Players In The Global Recoilless Rifle Market

Major companies operating in the recoilless rifle market report are Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, China North Industries Group Corporation Limited, General Dynamics Corporation, BAE Systems, Rheinmetall AG, Elbit Systems Ltd., Saab AB, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG, FN Herstal, Nammo AS, Denel SOC Ltd., ST Engineering, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Nexter Group, RUAG Group, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Howa Machinery Ltd, KB Mashinostroyeniya, Larsen & Toubro Limited, Hanwha Defense, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Colt CZ Group SE

Global Recoilless Rifle Market Trends and Insights

Major companies operating in the recoilless rifle market are focusing on technological advancements such as man-portable, shoulder-launched weapon systems to enhance mobility, improve accuracy, and provide lightweight, high-impact solutions for modern infantry and special operations forces. A man-portable, shoulder-fired weapon is a compact system a soldier can carry and use alone, designed to launch projectiles from the shoulder against vehicles, bunkers, or enemy troops. For instance, in March 2024, Saab AB, a Sweden-based defense company, launched Carl-Gustaf M4, an advanced, shoulder-fired weapon built for modern infantry, capable of tackling armored threats, bunkers, and urban targets, offering greater flexibility and power in both conventional and peacekeeping missions. The Carl-Gustaf M4 is an upgraded version of the Carl-Gustaf M3, a versatile, shoulder-fired recoilless weapon system.

What Are Latest Mergers And Acquisitions In The Recoilless Rifle Market?

In May 2024, Colt CZ Group SE, a Czech Republic-based firearms manufacturing company, acquired Sellier & Bellot for $703 million. This acquisition enhances its small-caliber ammunition capabilities, broadens its global reach, and enables it to offer complete weapon systems, aligning with its strategy to expand and diversify. Sellier & Bellot is a Czech Republic-based company that specializes in firearms and ammunition.

Regional Outlook

North America was the largest region in the recoilless rifle market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the recoilless rifle market are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the recoilless rifle market are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

What Defines the Recoilless Rifle Market?

The recoilless rifle market consists of sales of shoulder-fired systems, tripod-mounted systems, laser rangefinders, and smoke and illumination rounds. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

How is Market Value Defined and Measured?

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified). The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

What Key Data and Analysis Are Included in the Recoilless Rifle Market Report 2026?

The recoilless rifle market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides market statistics, including Market Report 2026?global market size, regional shares, competitors with the market share, detailed market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the recoilless rifle Market Report 2026? The market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the Market Report 2026?