Automatic Weapons Market Trends

Global Automatic Weapons Market Overview

Automatic Weapons Market Size was valued at USD 7.1 billion in 2022. The automatic weapons market industry is projected to grow from USD 7.67439 Billion in 2024 to USD 12.23931 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.09% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032).  demand from military and law enforcement agencies is expanding. The growing concerns over security threats drive this demand, and the need to equip security forces with the latest weapons technologies are the key market drivers enhancing the market growth.

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Automatic Weapons Market Trends

Increasing Cross-Border Conflicts Throughout the World are driving the market growth

Increasing cross-border conflicts throughout the world are propelling market CAGR for automatic weapons. Border disputes have increased dramatically in several countries during the last few years. The largest cross-border conflicts in the last sixty years have included border disputes between China and India, border disputes between India and Pakistan, border disputes between Venezuela and Colombia, border disputes between North Korea and South Korea, and border disputes between Iraq and Syria. The growing number of cross-border conflicts worldwide drives demand for these weapons to boost the army's fighting capacity. In February 2019, the US inked a contract with the Indian government to provide 72,000 Sig 716 assault rifles to the Indian Army during an ongoing border conflict with China over Doklam boundary disputes.

Additionally, Automatic weapon system improvements such as modular advanced armed robotic systems (MAARS), black knight unmanned combat vehicles, and laser weapon systems are expected to drive market expansion. The MAARS robot has a grenade launcher, a 400-round M240B machine gun, and a 12-hour battery backup, with a peak speed of 7 miles per hour. The MAARS is a highly equipped robotic gadget meant to save lives on the battlefield. The black knight is another sophisticated autonomous combat vehicle with a 30mm cannon and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. It is mostly utilized in high-risk scenarios to prevent unwarranted danger from the enemy's armed forces. The laser weapons system is placed aboard naval vessels and functions as a cannon. Compared to conventional projectile warfare systems, this laser technology is cost-effective and precise. Rising demand for advanced automotive weapon systems from emerging economies such as China and India is projected to fuel market growth.

The US Department of Defense inked a deal with the Government of India in February 2020. The US Department of Defense will supply the Indian Army with technologically sophisticated integrated air defense weapon systems (IADWS) under this government-to-government agreement. This deal is valued at USD 1,867.4 million. Thus, driving the automatic weapons market revenue.

Automatic Weapons Market Segment Insights

Automatic Weapons Product Insights

Based on product, the automatic weapons market segmentation includes automatic rifles, machine guns, light machine guns, medium machine guns, automatic launchers, grenade launchers, missile launchers, mortar launchers, automatic cannons, and Gatling guns. In 2022, the automatic rifles segment dominated the market. The dominance is due to increased demand for automatic rifles from various military forces worldwide, particularly in Asian countries. Due to the increased employment of machine guns by naval and border security forces during war operations, the machine guns category is expected to post a higher CAGR by 2029. The market for light machine guns will likely rise as traditional machine guns are phased out.

For instance, the growing demand for an integrated 40mm automatic grenade launcher system from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) army is predicted to increase the market. Furthermore, growing investment by the United States and Russia to modernize long-range weapons such as missile launchers and short-range offensive weapons such as mortar launchers is expected to boost the market.

Automatic Weapons End-use Insights

Based on end use, the automatic weapons market segmentation includes land, naval, and airborne. The land sector is predicted to dominate the market throughout the forecast period. The ground segment comprises battle tanks, armored fighting vehicles (AFVS), and light-protected vehicles (LPVs). The expanded use of battle tanks, AFVs, and LPVs in combat operations has aided this dominance. Destroyers, frigates, corvettes, and offshore patrol boats comprise the naval sector (OPVS). The increased demand for precision weapon systems on naval vessels from developed countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom propels market development.Over the projected period, the airborne sector is expected to grow rapidly. The rise is linked to replacing traditional systems in fighter aircraft, combat support aircraft, and helicopters with sophisticated combat systems.

Figure 1: Automatic Weapons Market, by Distribution channel, 2022 & 2030 (USD billion)

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Automatic Weapons Regional Insights

By Region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. The North American automatic weapons market area will dominate this market because of the presence of important companies in the United States, such as General Dynamics Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC, the market in North America is expected to be the biggest throughout the projection period. The United States government is working to improve its automatic weapons, battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, and light-protected vehicles.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The U.S., Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Europe automatic weapons market accounts for the second-largest market share due to the presence of important companies in Europe, such as BAE Systems, FN Herstal, Kalashnikov Concern, and the KBP Instrument Design Bureau, which is expected to drive considerable growth in the Europe automatic weapons market over the projection period. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) study (2019), Russia is the world's second-largest exporter of armaments. Further, the German automatic weapons market held the largest market share, and the UK automatic weapons market was the fastest-growing market in the European region

The Asia-Pacific Automatic Weapons Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2030. Because of China's and India's increasing arms and ammunition industries, the Asia Pacific region is likely to grow rapidly. Moreover, prominent Asian-Pacific market participants, such as China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) and Ordnance Factories Board (India), are expanding their financing, which would drive market expansion. Moreover, China’s automatic weapons market held the largest market share, and the Indian automatic weapons market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Automatic Weapons Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market companies are extensively spending on R&D to extend their product lines, which will help the automatic weapons market grow even more. Market participants are also undertaking various strategic activities to expand their footprint, with important market developments including new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other organizations. The automatic weapons industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in a more competitive and rising market climate.

Manufacturing locally to minimize operational costs is one of the key business tactics manufacturers use in the automatic weapons industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. In recent years, the automatic weapons industry has offered some of the most significant medical advantages. Major players in the automatic weapons market, including Northrop Grumman (US), Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC (US), Rheinmetall AG (Germany), FN Herstal (Belgium), and others, are attempting to increase market demand by investing in research and development operations.

Rheinmetall AG is a German-based company involved in developing and producing a range of defense and security-related products, including automatic weapons. The company's automatic weapons portfolio includes a range of small arms and crew-served weapons. One of the notable products in Rheinmetall AG's automatic weapons portfolio is the MG3 machine gun. For instance, in March 2020, Rheinmetall and the Swiss Federal Office of Defense agreed to deliver rifle-mounted laser targeting modules to the Swiss army. Rheinmetall is also anticipated to supply the Swiss Army with accessories, replacement parts, and training assistance under this deal.

Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC has been an American firearms manufacturer in business for over 175 years. The company produces a range of firearms that military and law enforcement agencies use worldwide, including automatic weapons. Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC's automatic weapons portfolio includes a range of rifles and machine guns. For Instance, in March 2022, Colt's Manufacturing Co. LLC, one of the United States' oldest and most renowned small weapons manufacturers, agreed to co-produce handguns and rifles in Jordan with a Jordan-based firm. Colt and Jordan Armament and Weapon Systems (JAWS) signed a memorandum of cooperation on Nov. 2 in Aqaba, Jordan, on the sidelines of the SOFEX convention.

Key Companies in the automatic weapons market include.

• Northrop Grumman (US)


• Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC (US)


• Rheinmetall AG (Germany)


• FN Herstal (Belgium)


• ST Engineering (Singapore)


• Heckler & Koch AG (Germany)


• KBP Instrument Design Bureau (Russia)

Automatic Weapons Market Segmentation

Automatic Weapons Product Outlook

• Automatic Rifles


• Machine Guns


• Light Machine Guns


• Medium Machine Guns


• Automatic Launchers


• Grenade Launchers


• Missile Launchers


• Mortar Launchers


• Automatic Cannons


• Gatling Guns

• Land


• Naval


• Airborne

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  

• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  

• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America
  
  
  
  

Automatic Weapons Industry Developments

For instance,July 2021 The TriCa is a light and small weapon with a 7.62X39 mm carbine developed for infantry combat vehicles, helicopter crews, and security personnel for activities that need a compact and moderately strong individual automatic weapon.

For instance,February 2021 Sig Sauer Inc. has submitted its final prototype guns to the US Army in its bid to replace the M4A1 carbine and M249 squad automatic rifle in infantry battalions.