Small Arms and Light Weapons Market Report 2026

Small Arms and Light Weapons Market Overview

• Small Arms and Light Weapons market size has reached to $10.41 billion in 2025 • Expected to grow to $14.6 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% • Growth Driver: Increasing Territorial Activities Drive Growth OfThe Small Arms And Light Weapons Market • Market Trend: Global Small Arms and Light Weapons Market Trend Elevating Combat Performance Through Superior Stopping Power And Accuracy • Asia-Pacific was the largest region in 2025 and Western Europe is the fastest growing region.

What Is Covered Under Small Arms and Light Weapons Market?

Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) are defined as a class of weapons intended for individual operation, which includes personal firearms like pistols and rifles, as well as more substantial weapons such as machine guns and portable mortars. They are utilized by military forces, law enforcement agencies, and civilians, and possess the potential to cause considerable damage in both warfare and criminal situations. The main types of small arms and light weapons are small arms and light weapons. Small arms, also known as firearms or guns, are man-portable lethal weapons designed for individual use that can expel or launch a shot, bullet, or projectile via explosive action. The weapon calibers are 14.5mm, 12.7mm, 9mm, 7.62mm, and 5.56mm, and the firing systems are recoil-operated, gas-operated, and manual and the actions of the weapons are manual, semi-automatic, and automatic. The applications of small arms and light weapons include military and law enforcement that is used by defense, civil and commercial sectors.

What Is The Small Arms and Light Weapons Market Growth Forecast?

The small arms and light weapons market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $14.6 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for modular and customizable small arms platforms across defense and law enforcement, increasing adoption of lightweight materials and advanced ergonomics in next-generation weapons, rising procurement of smart-enabled firearms with enhanced targeting systems, expanding demand from emerging economies developing their security and defense infrastructure, expected growth in integrated after-sales service packages bundled with new small arms and light weapons systems. Major trends in the forecast period include development of modular and multi-caliber small arms, enhanced materials for lightweight and durable weapons, integration of smart targeting and fire control systems, expansion of training and simulation systems for users, growth in civilian and security force demand for compact firearms.

Global Small Arms and Light Weapons Market Segmentation

1) By Type: Small Arms And Light Weapons 2) By Action: Manual, Semi-Automatic, Automatic 3) By Caliber: 14.5 mm, 9 mm, 12.7 mm, 5.56 mm, 14.5 mm, 7.62 mm 4) By Firing Systems: Gas Operated, Manual, Recoil Operated 5) By End-User Sector: Law Enforcement, Military And Defense, Civil And Commercial Subsegments: 1) By Small Arms: Handguns, Rifles, Submachine Guns, Shotguns 2) By Light Weapons: Machine Guns, Grenade Launchers, Mortars, Anti-Tank Weapons

What Is Driver Of The Small Arms and Light Weapons Market?

A rise in territorial activities throughout the world is expected to propel the growth of the small arms and light weapons market going forward. Guns and accessories are used for a variety of purposes, such as self-defense, law enforcement, hunting, sports shooting, and others. The rise in territorial activities throughout the world will drive the demand for small arms and light weapons that support the growing territorial activities. For instance, in June 2023, according to a report published by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a Switzerland-based agency of the UN tasked with assisting and defending refugees, globally, approximately 110 million people were forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence, and human rights violations, including 36.4 million refugees (30.5 million under UNHCR's mandate and 5.94 million Palestine refugees under UNRWA's mandate), 62.1 million internally displaced persons, 6.08 million asylum seekers, and 5.6 million Venezuelan refugees. About 90% of newly displaced individuals came from seven major crises in countries such as Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, Ukraine, and various Latin American nations. Therefore, the rise in territorial activities throughout the world will fuel the growth of the small arms and light weapons industry.

Key Players In The Global Small Arms and Light Weapons Market

Major companies operating in the small arms and light weapons market are Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc, Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc, General Dynamics Corporation, SIG Sauer, Inc, Heckler & Koch GmbH, FN Herstal S.A., Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC, Thales Group, GLOCK Gesellschaft m.b.H., Israel Weapons Industry (IWI), Kalashnikov Group, Èeská Zbrojovka a.s, China South Industries Group (CSGC), China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (Norinco), Berette S.p.A., PLR Systems Pvt Ltd, Armscor, Guns & Tactics Ltd, Magnum Arms, Guns Galore, BNTI Arms, Athena Security Inc, Protection Development International Corporation

Global Small Arms and Light Weapons Market Trends and Insights

In October 2025, Heckler & Koch GmbH, a Germany-based manufacturing company, partnered with SNT Motiv Co. Ltd. to develop and supply advanced small arms solutions for global defense markets. With this partnership aims to develop next-generation small arms and light weapons to enhance South Korea's defense capabilities, improve manufacturing expertise, and strengthen global competitiveness in firearms technology. SNT Motiv Co. Ltd. is a South Korea-based automobile company that provides firearms and auto parts manufacturing.

Regional Insights

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

What Defines the Small Arms and Light Weapons Market?

The small arms and light weapons market consists of sales of pistols, rifles, submachine guns, assault rifles, and light machine guns. 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 Small Arms and Light Weapons Market Report 2026?

The small arms and light weapons market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides market statistics, including industry 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 small arms and light weapons industry. 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 industry.