Tactical Optics Market Trends

Global Tactical Optics Market Overview

Tactical Optics Market is projected to reach USD 13,770 Million by 2030 and register a CAGR of 5.91% during 2020- 2030. The word tactical generally pertains to military firearms and their accessories. Tactical scopes are characterized by a low magnification range and serve the purpose of extending the shooter's range beyond their regular vision, which is why their usage is associated with the military.

Market Synopsis

Global Tactical Optics Market is expected to register significant growth during the forecast period owing to factors such as increasing demand for EO/IR cameras and growing weapon modernization programs across the globe. Furthermore, the increasing procurement of tactical optics for dismounted soldiers and vehicle platforms is also expected to drive the growth of the market. Additionally, the increasing adoption of tactical optics by the US armed forces is also expected to drive the market growth. 

For example, in December 2018, Raytheon Company signed a contract worth USD 40 million with the US Navy to provide repair services for the multi-spectral targeting systems of the H-60 aircraft.

However, issues related to the demand for high technical expertise to develop tactical optics and stringent government regulations are likely to hamper the growth of the Tactical Optics Market

Market USP

Advancements in technology and rising terrorism across the globe are driving the growth of the Tactical Optics Industry.

Market Drivers

• Increasing demand for EO/IR cameras

• Weapon modernization programs across the world

• Increase in the procurement of tactical optics for vehicle platforms and dismounted soldiers: To offer enhanced ISR and target acquisition capabilities to the defense forces, the government authorities are investing in tactical optics.

Market Restraints

• Need for high technical expertise to develop tactical optics


• Stringent government regulations

Market Segmentation

By Application

• Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR): The Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) segment is projected to register significant CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing demand for enhanced ISR capabilities by the armed forces across the world owing to rising terrorism.

• Target Acquisition & Identification: The target acquisition & identification segment dominated the market in 2019 and is expected to exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the rising installations of target identification and acquisition products on various platforms.

• Search & Rescue: The growing adoption of drones and unmanned systems for search & rescue mission is expected to drive the growth of the segment.

• Border & Coastal Patrol: Increased installation of EO/IR cameras for border & coastal surveillance to track illegal activities is expected to drive the growth of the segment.

By Product

• Weapon Scopes & Sights: The increasing adoption of thermal imaging technology for enhanced visibility during night and low visibility times is expected to drive the growth of the segment.

• Handheld Sighting Devices: The increasing adoption of new optical technologies, such as rangefinders, binoculars, target acquisition & surveillance systems, and night vision goggles, are driving the growth of the segment.

• Cameras & Displays: The cameras & display segment dominated the market in 2019 and is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period, owing to the increasing use of thermal cameras for border surveillance The growing demand for head-mounted displays for soldiers on the battlefield is expected to drive the growth of the segment.

• Night Vision Scopes: Increasing demand for enhanced target detection capabilities and the need to offer enhanced visibility to soldiers in low lighting are expected to drive the growth of the segment.

By Platform

• Ground: The ground segment dominated the Tactical Optics Market in 2019. Factors such as increased procurement of armored vehicles by the armed forces and increasing installation of high-tech cameras for border surveillance are driving the growth of the segment.

• Naval: The increasing naval modernization programs by countries such as China, India, and the US to strengthen its maritime capabilities are expected to drive the growth of the segment.

• Airborne: The segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period, owing to the growing adoption of tactical UAVs and unmanned systems by the armed forces and the rising adoption of attack helicopters by various developing countries such as India.

By End-Use

• Manned Platform: The segment dominated the market in 2019. Increasing demand for enhanced situational awareness by the armed forces is expected to drive the growth of the segment.

• Weapon Mounted: Increasing the procurement of new weapons is expected to drive the growth of the segment.

• Soldier: Increasing soldier modernization programs across the world are expected to drive the growth of the segment.

• Unmanned Platform: The segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the growing adoption of unmanned systems by countries such as the US and China for various applications such as border surveillance and search & rescue.

By Range

• Short Range: The growing demand for handheld devices such as rangefinders, binoculars, and others is expected to drive the growth of the segment.

• Medium Range: The segment is projected to exhibit a significant CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing adoption of drones.

• Long Range: The segment dominated the Tactical Optics Market in 2019 and is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing procurement of the naval ships, aircraft, and armored vehicles.

By Region

• North America: North America dominated the global tactical optics market in 2019 due to the presence of companies such as Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and Northrop Grumman Corporation.

• Europe: Increasing adoption of smart weapons by the armed forces of countries such as the UK is expected to drive the growth of the market in the region. For example, in May 2020, the UK Army tested a new smart riflescope that offers enhanced target acquisition capabilities by using computer imaging technology.

• Asia-Pacific: The market in this region is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Increasing territorial conflicts in the region and rising defense expenditures of countries, such as China and India, are driving the market growth in Asia-Pacific.

• Middle East: Increasing terrorist activities in the region and the presence of companies, such as Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems Ltd, are expected to drive the market growth in the region.

• Latin America: Extreme warfare situations in countries such as Mexico are expected to fuel the demand for tactical optics in this region.

Key Players

• Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy)


• BAE Systems (UK)


• Elbit Systems Ltd (Israel)


• KONGSBERG Gruppen AS (Norway)


• L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (US)


• Lockheed Martin Corporation (US)


• Northrop Grumman Corporation (US)


• Raytheon Technologies Corporation (US)


• Thales Group (France)


• Saab AB (Sweden)

Other Prominent Players

• Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. (Israel)


• FLIR Systems, Inc. (US)


• Israel Aerospace Industries (Israel)


• Wuhan JOHO Technology Co., Ltd (China)


• AimpointAB (Sweden)


• ATN Corporation (US)


• Bushnell Corporation (US)


• Burris Company, Inc (US)


• LEUPOLD & STEVENS, INC. (US)


• NIGHTFORCE OPTICS (US)


• SIG SAUER (US)


• Sightmark (US)


• Trijicon, Inc. (US)


• Vortex Optics (US)

Recent Development