Military Body Armor Market Analysis

Global Military Body Armor Market Overview

Military Body Armor Market Size was valued at USD 1.6 billion in 2022. The Military Body Armor market industry is projected to grow from USD1.6864 Billion in 2024 to USD 2.31208 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.40% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032) and increased Innovative techniques that can offer enhanced protection. The combination of technology has also resulted in lightweight armor, the key market driver enhancing market growth.

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

Military Body Armor Market Trends

• Rising terrorism and hostile activities worldwide are driving market growth

One of the major drivers in the military body armor market is the rising terrorism and hostile activities worldwide. Due to this, countries and governments are highly expanding their defense. There are many territorial conflicts as well that have increased military operations in the past. To provide additional safety to the soldiers, several countries are investing in bulletproofs, vests, and modern military body armor for their military. For instance, in 2019, KDH Defense Systems Inc. announced that the company got a contract worst $29.9 million from the US Army and the other two contracts worth $40 million. Furthermore, rising military warehouses worldwide have increased the need for military body armor, propelling the market CAGR.

Additionally, the growing awareness about commercial security in the U.S. drives the demand for body armor. Furthermore, as threats become more prevalent, worries about security in commercial areas such as retail security, healthcare security, and transportation security are growing rapidly. As a result, demand for this product is expected to rise over the forecast period.

Modern-day warfare practices include counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, and guerrilla warfare operations that may injure soldiers, causing fatal injuries. Similar scenarios exist in law enforcement wherein criminals, felons, and law offenders can fatally injure corresponding officers, thus necessitating investment in personal body armor and related equipment.

Outlook military is influenced by evolving geopolitical tensions, emerging technologies, and the imperative to adapt to new security threats, driving investments in modernization and cybersecurity measures.

Body armor is specifically developed to shield the wearer from the effect of firearm rounds on human organs. Body armor saves several lives. It also provides additional protection during car accidents and other assaults on police officers. Most law-enforcement body armor and helmets are designed to defeat attacks from handgun firing. They are driving the military body armor market revenue.

Military Body Armor Market Segment Insights

• Military Body Armor Level Insights

Based on Level, the Military Body Armor market segmentation includes Level I, Level IIA, Level II, Level IIIA, Level III, and Level IV. The level IV segment accounted for the highest military body armor market share of 25% in 2022. This is due to the high performance of Level-IV armor. Level IIIA is a soft armor category. The materials used to make the Level IIIA and Level III choices differ. The Level IIIA product can also be used with other protective panels by giving maximum protection. This type of body armor can be worn overtly as well as covertly. Some manufacturers also offer IIIA+ products to protect against shotgun shells, such as 9 mm civil defense rounds. The Level II segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% over the forecast period. Level II protection armor protects a common handgun round and is lightweight, concealable, and comfortable. Compared to Level IIA, Level II provides greater protection against blunt force trauma. The level III product is suitable for council employees, officers, and even civilians and is the widely used protection armor.

• Military Body Armor Material Insights

Based on Material, the Military Body Armor market segmentation includes Law Enforcement Protection and Civilians. The law enforcement segment accounted for the highest military body armor market. Security personnel and first respondents will likely boost demand for this product over the projected period as they carry out their duties to ensure safety and security and detect, prevent, and prosecute offenses. Increasing government expenditure for internal safety and control in the country worldwide is also likely to propel the segment's growth. The enormous weight of the body armor makes it difficult for military men to wear and move freely on the battlefield.

• Military Body Armor Application Insights

Based on Material, the Military Body Armor market segmentation includes steel, UHMWPE, aramid, composite ceramic, and others. Composite ceramic accounted for 30% of 2022 due to the growing demand for body armor with high protective properties. Military surplus body armor with ceramic plates offers many advantages and is highly protective.

• Military Body Armor Product Type Insights

Based on product type, the Military Body Armor market segmentation includes soft and hard armor. Among these, the soft armor segment dominated the market with a share of 44.9% in 2022. This was because soft shields are ideal for flexibility and comfort. Soft product provides highly flexible and comfortable protection against pistol ammo and is used by law enforcement officers, first respondents, and for covert operations. At the same time, hard product uses durable materials, such as ceramics, ceramic composites, steel, polyethylene, and occasionally, materials like Kevlar.

Figure1:  Military Body Armor Market, by Product Type, 2022 & 2030 (USD billion)

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

• Military Body Armor Product Style Insights

Based on the style, the Military Body Armor market segmentation includes covert and overt. The overt segment led the military body armor market by registering the highest share of over 85% in 2022. This can be attributed to higher protection from large spikes/blades and heavy gunfire. Overt body armor is worn on top of the clothing and is often bulkier and heavier as engineered using various Kevlar layers. The covert type is expected to witness a CAGR of 6.9% over the forecast period. Compared with the overt kind, covert armor can comfortably be worn beneath regular clothing or a standard uniform. This benefit makes it ideal for a very important person (VIP) and security staff who prefer something other than showcasing the armor.

For instance,In February 2022, India advertised fresh "Veer" helmets for the Indian Army's soldiers.  Defense drafted these helmets and Homeland Security Company MKU, which are consonant with the modular accessory connector system employed for multi-accessory installation. 

For instance,February 2021 DuPont de Nemours Inc. recently acquired Core Matrix Technology, a Tex Tech Industries Inc. subsidiary specializing in bullet fragmentation and ballistic performance solutions for the military. Additionally, they also help reduce back trauma disorders. This acquisition aligns with expanding the firm's presence towards an expanded portfolio.

• Military Body Armor Regional Insights

By Region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. North America, this rising adoption of ballistic protection suits in various industries will boost the market growth in this Region.

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.

Figure2:  MILITARY BODY ARMOR MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (%)

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

Europe's Military Body Armor market accounts for the second-largest market share dueto the increased spending attributed to military upgradation in terms of personal safety and weapons upgrades. Further, the German Military Body Armor market held the largest market share, and the UK Military Body Armor market was the fastest-growing market in the European Region.

The Asia-Pacific Military Body Armor Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2030. This is due to increased military spending in the Region. Moreover, China’s Military Body Armor market held the largest market share, and the Indian Military Body Armor market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Military Body Armor Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players are investing heavily in research and development to expand their product lines, which will help the Military Body Armor 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 military body armor 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 Military Body Armor industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. In recent years, the Military Body Armor industry has offered some of the most significant advantages to the military. Major players in the Military Body Armor market, including Elmon (Greece), Honeywell (US), BAE Systems (UK), Coorstek Inc. (US), Du Pont (US), Point Blank Enterprises Inc (US), and others, are attempting to increase market demand by investing in research and development operations.

DuPont de Nemours, Inc., commonly shortened to DuPont, is an American multinational chemical company first formed in 1802 by a French American chemist and industrialist. The company played a major role in the development of Delaware and first arose as a major supplier of gunpowder. DuPont’s expertise spans high-performance fibers and foams, aramid papers, non-woven structures, water purification technologies, and protective garments. DuPont de Nemours Inc. recently acquired Core Matrix Technology, a Tex Tech Industries Inc. subsidiary specializing in bullet fragmentation and ballistic performance solutions for the military. Additionally, they also help reduce back trauma disorders. This acquisition aligns with expanding the firm's presence towards an expanded portfolio.

MKU manufactures optronics devices like night vision binoculars and monocular as personal and platform armor solutions. MKU has centers of research & development in India and Germany that develop ballistic protection technologies for the company. Additionally, it has its own In house Ballistic testing laboratory in Germany, which can conduct ballistic testing up to STANG Level IV, including various other prevalent testing standards, ly. It recently launched a new technology called the 6th generation ballistic protection technology called "GEN-6," offering a substantial reduction in the weight and thickness of personal body armor by 40% and 30%, respectively. The Government of India has recently contracted the company to manufacture and supply 1.59 lakh ballistic helmets to the Indian Army. India advertised fresh "Veer" helmets for the Indian Army's soldiers.  Defense drafted these helmets and Homeland Security Company MKU, which are consonant with the modular accessory connector system employed for multi-accessory installation.

Key Companies in the military body armor market include

• Elmon (Greece)


• Honeywell (US)


• BAE Systems (UK)


• Coorstek Inc. (US)


• Du Pont (US)


• Point Blank Enterprises Inc (US)


• MKU Limited (India)


• M (US Safariland


• LLC (US)


• Survitec Group Limited (UK)

Military Body Armor Industry Developments

For Instance, March 2022  the United Kingdom's armed forces proclaimed new body armor advancements for women in its armed forces. The upgraded protective apparatus the Virtus Scalable Tactical Vest, results from a partnership between several Ministry of Defence and industry organizations, including the Source Tactical Gear, Defence Science, and Technology Laboratory, and Defence Equipment and Support. 

For Instance, March 2019  the U.S. Army announced a contract worth USD 29.9 million with KDH Defense Systems Inc. to increase their Modular Scalable Vest (MSV) Gen-II system munition.

Military Body Armor Market Segmentation

Military Body Armor Level Outlook

• Level I


• Level IIA


• Level II


• Level IIIA


• Level III


• Level IV

Military Body Armor Application Outlook

• Law Enforcement Protection


• Civilians

• Steel


• UHMWPE


• Aramid


• Composite Ceramic


• Others

Military Body Armor Product Type Outlook

• Soft Armor


• Hard Armor

Military Body Armor Product Style Outlook

• Covert


• Overt

Military Body Armor Regional Outlook

• 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