Military Laser Designator Market Research Report By Platform (Airborne, Ground-based, Naval), By Wavelength (Visible, Near-Infrared, Mid-Infrared), By Range (Short-Range (Up to 10 km), Medium-Range (10-50 km), Long-Range (Over 50 km)), By Designation Type (Single-Point Designators, Target Illuminators, Rangefinders), By Application (Air-to-Air Targeting, Air-to-Ground Targeting, Ground-to-Air Targeting, Maritime Targeting) and By Regional (North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa) - Forecast to 2032

Military Laser Designator Market Overview

Military Laser Designator Market Size was estimated at 1.5 (USD Billion) in 2022. The Military Laser Designator Market Industry is expected to grow from 1.55(USD Billion) in 2023 to 2.138 (USD Billion) by 2032. The Military Laser Designator Market CAGR (growth rate) is expected to be around 3.61% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032).

Key Military Laser Designator Market Trends Highlighted

The global military laser designator market is witnessing significant advancements driven by the increased focus on situational awareness and precision targeting in defense operations. Key market drivers include the growing need for non-lethal target engagement, improved accuracy and range, and enhanced battlefield communication and coordination. Governments are investing heavily in advanced laser designators to enhance the capabilities of ground troops, special forces, and aircrews.

Opportunities lie in the exploration of multi-spectral laser designators for targeting multiple targets and the integration of laser designators with precision-guided munitions for increased accuracy and effectiveness. Trends indicate the growing adoption of eye-safe laser designators for training and non-combat situations. Additionally, the demand for compact and lightweight laser designators is on the rise due to the need for portable and deployable systems.

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

Military Laser Designator Market Drivers

Increased demand for precision-guided munitions

The increasing demand for precision-guided munitions is a major driver of the growth of the Global Military Laser Designator Market Industry. Precision-guided munitions use laser designators to guide them to their targets, which results in increased accuracy and reduced collateral damage. The growing demand for precision-guided munitions is being driven by a number of factors, such as the increasing number of conflicts around the world, the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and the increasing need for precision strikes.  As a result, the demand for laser designators is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.

Technological advancements

Technological advancements are another major driver of the growth of the Global Military Laser Designator Market Industry. Laser designators are becoming increasingly more accurate and reliable, and they are also becoming more affordable. These advancements are making laser designators more attractive to militaries around the world. In addition, the development of new laser technologies, such as solid-state lasers and fiber lasers, is also contributing to the growth of the market.  These new technologies are offering a number of advantages over traditional laser technologies, such as improved performance, reduced size and weight, and increased reliability.

Growing emphasis on military modernization

The growing emphasis on military modernization is also driving the growth of the Global Military Laser Designator Market Industry. Militaries around the world are increasingly investing in new technologies to modernize their forces. Laser designators are a key part of modern military arsenals, and they are essential for precision-guided munitions. As militaries continue to modernize their forces, the demand for laser designators is expected to continue to grow. In addition, the growing focus on counterterrorism and homeland security is also driving the demand for laser designators. Laser designators can be used to target a variety of targets, including vehicles, buildings, and personnel. This makes them a valuable tool for counterterrorism and homeland security operations.

Military Laser Designator Market Segment Insights:

Military Laser Designator Market Platform Insights  

The Global Military Laser Designator Market segmentation by platform comprises Airborne, Ground-based, and Naval. Airborne platforms are expected to dominate the market with a revenue share of over 45% in 2024. The dominance of airborne platforms can be attributed to the increasing demand for aerial surveillance, target acquisition, and precision strike capabilities. Ground-based platforms are anticipated to witness a significant growth rate during the forecast period due to their ability to provide accurate and long-range target designation for ground forces.Naval platforms are expected to hold a moderate market share due to their use in maritime operations and coastal defense. The Global Military Laser Designator Market is influenced by various factors such as rising geopolitical tensions, increasing military spending, and technological advancements. The growing adoption of laser designators in military operations for precise target identification and designation is driving market growth. Additionally, the development of advanced laser designators with enhanced capabilities, such as eye-safe lasers, multi-target tracking, and improved range, is expected to fuel market expansion.

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

Military Laser Designator Market Wavelength Insights  

The 'Wavelength' segment of the Global Military Laser Designator Market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. Among the various wavelength options available, Visible, Near-Infrared, and Mid-Infrared hold prominent positions in the market. Visible wavelength laser designators operate in the visible spectrum, providing clear and precise target illumination. Near-Infrared laser designators, on the other hand, offer covert operations and reduced visibility, making them suitable for stealth missions. Mid-Infrared laser designators penetrate through adverse weather conditions and are preferred for long-range target acquisition.The Global Military Laser Designator Market revenue for the Visible wavelength segment is projected to reach USD 0.45 billion by 2024, growing at a CAGR of 4.2%. The Near-Infrared segment is anticipated to be valued at USD 0.68 billion in 2024, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.8%. The Mid-Infrared segment is expected to demonstrate a steady growth rate, with a market valuation of USD 0.32 billion by 2024. These wavelength segments play a crucial role in military operations, enabling precise target identification and engagement, driving the overall growth of the Global Military Laser Designator Market.

Military Laser Designator Market Range Insights  

The Global Military Laser Designator Market is segmented by range into short-range (up to 10 km), medium-range (10-50 km), and long-range (over 50 km). Among these, the short-range segment is estimated to hold the largest market share in 2023, owing to the increasing demand for lightweight and portable laser designators for close-range combat operations. The medium-range segment is anticipated to witness significant growth in the coming years due to the rising adoption of laser designators with improved accuracy and range for targeting distant targets.The long-range segment is expected to gain traction in the future as militaries seek advanced laser designators for long-range precision strikes. The Global Military Laser Designator Market is expected to witness steady growth in the coming years, driven by increasing military spending and technological advancements in laser technology.

Military Laser Designator Market Designation Type Insights  

The Designation Type segment of the Global Military Laser Designator Market is segmented into Single-Point Designators, Target Illuminators, and Rangefinders. Single-Point Designators are expected to hold the largest market share in the coming years. They are used to pinpoint a single target, typically for laser-guided munitions. Target Illuminators are used to illuminate a target for laser-guided weapons, and Rangefinders are used to determine the distance to a target. The market growth for Target Illuminators is expected to be driven by the increasing demand for precision-guided munitions.The market growth for Rangefinders is expected to be driven by the increasing adoption of laser-guided weapons.

Military Laser Designator Market Application Insights  

Air-to-Air Targeting segment is expected to hold the largest market share of 35% in 2023 due to the increasing demand for advanced air-to-air combat capabilities. Air-to-Ground Targeting segment is anticipated to witness a significant growth rate of 4.2% during the forecast period, driven by the rising need for precision-guided munitions in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. Ground-to-Air Targeting segment is projected to account for a market share of 28% in 2023, owing to the growing adoption of laser designators for air defense systems.Maritime Targeting segment is expected to grow at a steady pace, with a market share of 12% in 2023, due to the increasing focus on maritime security and surveillance.

Military Laser Designator Market Regional Insights  

The regional segmentation of the Global Military Laser Designator Market offers insights into the geographical distribution of market growth and opportunities. North America is expected to dominate the market, accounting for a significant share of the global revenue in 2024. This dominance is attributed to the presence of key defense contractors and the region's high military spending. Europe is anticipated to hold a substantial market share, driven by increasing investments in defense capabilities by countries like the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.Asia-Pacific is projected to witness robust growth due to rising defense expenditure and modernization programs in countries like China, India, and South Korea. South America and the Middle East and Africa are expected to contribute a smaller share to the overall market, but they present growth opportunities due to increasing defense budgets and regional conflicts.

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

Military Laser Designator Market Key Players And Competitive Insights:

Major players in Military Laser Designator Market industry are constantly striving to develop advanced technologies and expand their product portfolio to meet the evolving needs of military forces. Leading Military Laser Designator Market players are focusing on research and development to enhance the capabilities of their products, such as improving accuracy, range, and target acquisition capabilities.

Additionally, companies are exploring new applications for military laser designators, such as non-lethal crowd control and counter-IED operations. The Military Laser Designator Market Competitive Landscape is characterized by a mix of established players and emerging companies. Strategic partnerships and acquisitions are common in the industry as companies seek to strengthen their market position and gain access to new technologies and markets.One of the leading Military Laser Designator Market players is Lockheed Martin, which offers a range of laser designators for various military applications. The company's AN/PED-1 Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder (LLDR) is a compact and lightweight system designed for use by dismounted troops. Lockheed Martin also produces the AN/PEQ-2A Laser Target Designator, which is used on small arms and grenade launchers.Another major player in the Military Laser Designator Market is BAE Systems, which provides a range of laser designators for air, land, and sea applications. The company's products include the Lightweight Laser Designator (LLD), which is used on aircraft and helicopters, and the Laser Target Designator (LTD), which is used on ships and ground vehicles. BAE Systems is also developing new laser designator technologies, such as the Advanced Targeting and Laser System (ATLAS), which is designed to improve target acquisition and tracking capabilities.

Key Companies in the Military Laser Designator Market Include:

• Mitsubishi Electric


• LIG NexO


• Raytheon Technologies


• BAE Systems


• Thales


• Hanwha Systems


• Leonardo SpA


• Northrop Grumman


• Safran


• Leonardo DRS


• Lockheed Martin


• L3Harris Technologies


• Airbus


• Elbit Systems


• Kongsberg Gruppen

Military Laser Designator Market Industry Developments

The Military Laser Designator Market is projected to reach USD 2.138 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.61% during the forecast period (2024-2032). This growth can be attributed to rising geopolitical uncertainties leading to increased military spending, technological advancements in laser designators, and growing demand for precision-guided munitions.

The market is expected to witness significant opportunities due to the increasing adoption of laser designators in homeland security applications, including border protection and counter-terrorism operations. Recent news developments include the U.S. Army's contract award to Lockheed Martin to produce the next-generation Advanced Targeting and Laser Effects System (ATLAS), showcasing the ongoing investments in laser designator capabilities.

Military Laser Designator Market Segmentation Insights

Military Laser Designator Market Platform Outlook

• Airborne


• Ground-based


• Naval

Military Laser Designator Market Wavelength Outlook

• Visible


• Near-Infrared


• Mid-Infrared

Military Laser Designator Market Range Outlook

• Short-Range (Up to 10 km)


• Medium-Range (10-50 km)


• Long-Range (Over 50 km)

Military Laser Designator Market Designation Type Outlook

• Single-Point Designators


• Target Illuminators


• Rangefinders

Military Laser Designator Market Application Outlook

• Air-to-Air Targeting


• Air-to-Ground Targeting


• Ground-to-Air Targeting


• Maritime Targeting

Military Laser Designator Market Regional Outlook

• North America


• Europe


• South America


• Asia Pacific


• Middle East and Africa