Automatic Weapons Market Size

Market Size Snapshot

Note – Market size depicts the revenue generated over the financial year

Automatic weapons are used in many countries. The automatic weapons market is estimated to reach USD 7.674 billion in 2024 and to reach USD 12.239 billion by 2032. The growth rate is a healthy compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.09%. Rising military tensions are driving the demand for automatic weapons, which is expected to drive the market growth. Furthermore, the integration of smart technology and improved target acquisition systems are contributing to the growth of the market. The major players in the automatic weapons market are Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. These players are collaborating with government agencies, investing in the development of advanced weapon systems, and launching new products that meet the evolving needs of the military. As the world's economies continue to modernize and develop, the demand for automatic weapons is expected to increase. This is due to technological advancements and strategic defense spending.

Regional Market Size

Regional Deep Dive

Automatic guns are a complex interplay of defense needs, legal regulations, and technological advancements across different regions. In North America, the market is driven by large military budgets and a robust defense industry. Europe, on the other hand, has strict regulations and a focus on modernizing existing arsenals. The Asia-Pacific region is seeing fast growth due to increasing defense budgets and geopolitical tensions. The Middle East and Africa are influenced by ongoing conflicts and security issues. Latin America is smaller, but is seeing rising demand due to internal security challenges. Each region has its own characteristics and is influenced by local needs and international relations.

Europe

• The European Union has implemented stricter regulations on the sale and distribution of automatic weapons, leading to a consolidation of manufacturers and a focus on compliance, which is reshaping the competitive landscape.
• Germany and France, for instance, have joined together in the development of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), which includes the development of the most modern automatic weapons, and this marks a trend towards closer cooperation in the field of defence.

Asia Pacific

• China's military modernization efforts have led to significant investments in automatic weapons technology, with state-owned enterprises like Norinco developing advanced systems that are expected to enhance the country's military capabilities.
• India's 'Make in India' initiative is encouraging domestic production of automatic weapons, with companies like Bharat Forge entering partnerships with global defense firms to boost local manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports.

Latin America

• Countries like Brazil and Mexico are facing rising internal security challenges, leading to increased demand for automatic weapons among law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime and drug trafficking.
• The regional arms trade is influenced by international treaties such as the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), which is shaping procurement practices and encouraging transparency in the acquisition of automatic weapons.

North America

• In recent years the United States has been increasing its budget for modern arms, especially automatic rifles, in order to increase the military’s effectiveness and technological superiority. The acquisition strategies of defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman have been influenced by these developments.
• In the United States, the development of the weapons of tomorrow is beginning to take shape. Companies like Raytheon and General Dynamics are investing heavily in research and development of weapons systems that are to be equipped with artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Middle East And Africa

• The ongoing conflicts in Syria and Yemen have driven demand for automatic weapons, with countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE increasing their military procurement to bolster defense capabilities against regional threats.
• International arms trade regulations are becoming more stringent, impacting the flow of automatic weapons into conflict zones, which is prompting local governments to invest in domestic production capabilities.

Did You Know?

“In the U.S., approximately 393 million civilian-owned firearms exist, which is more than the total population, highlighting the significant cultural and regulatory factors influencing the automatic weapons market.” — Small Arms Survey 2021

Segmental Market Size

The automatic weapon market is a crucial part of the broader security and defense industry, which is currently experiencing stable demand, due to ongoing political tensions and the evolution of security threats. Among the most important growth drivers in this segment are the rising military budgets of many states, especially in Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe, as well as the growing need for advanced weapons in counterterrorism operations. Furthermore, the regulations governing military spending and arms exports are influencing the market as countries seek to modernize their armaments. The current market is in a state of maturity, with the major players, such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, leading the way in the development and deployment of advanced automatic weapon systems. Product lines in this area are used primarily for military, police and private security applications. The M4 carbine and FN SCAR are the most popular weapons in this area. However, new trends, such as the increased focus on unmanned systems and smart weapons, are influencing the market. The technological development of the weapon systems, such as artificial intelligence and automation, is bringing this market to the forefront of defense innovation.

Future Outlook

Automatic weapons will see the market grow from a projected value of around seven billion dollars to over twelve billion in the next eight years, with a strong compound annual growth rate of 8.09%. The growth is driven by an increase in military spending, which is a result of increasing geopolitical tensions and the need for increased national security. In this context, the penetration of automatic weapons in the defense industry is expected to increase significantly in the coming years, reaching up to 60% in the next eight years, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. In addition, technological developments such as the integration of smart technology and automation into weapons systems are expected to radically change the market landscape for automatic weapons. Artificial intelligence and improved fire control will not only improve the efficiency of the weapons but also increase their combat effectiveness. The automatic weapons market is also driven by a trend towards increased military spending and modernization in emerging economies. In this context, the companies operating in the automatic weapons market will have to stay flexible and be able to take advantage of the technological developments and adapt to the changes in the national defense strategies to seize the opportunities that arise.