Shoulder Fired Weapons Market

Growing M&A Activities to propel the market growth

The Shoulder-fired Weapons Market in North America has several small and medium-sized vendors, and the market is witnessing much M&A activity. M&A help companies increase their market share, geographical presence, and product portfolio. For instance, there is a plan for the merger of  Digital Solutions and Airtronics USA. Airtronics USA is an electro-mechanical engineering design and manufacturing company, and its product lists includes grenade launchers, RPG launchers, and rifles. This merger deal provides Airtronics USA with an additional US$550,000 to enable it to complete pending contracts and purchase orders.

There has been increased interest in man-portable shoulder-fired weapons in emerging markets such as India. At present, the Indian army has a 50 percent shortfall in its authorized holding of ATGMs. India is working on developing a man-portable shoulder-fired ATGM. It has allocated a budget of US$3 billion for this project, which includes the induction of 1,914 launchers and 37,860 missiles. It will be followed by tech transfer from the project partner to Bharat Dynamics (India) for indigenous manufacture. US had been actively lobbying to get the deal from India, to develop the Javelin weapon for India's ATGM project.

Such, big deals would also largely stimulate the weapons market in the US and help increase its import.

Recent News :

In March 2024, Saab, a Swedish defense company, will commence production of the Carl-Gustaf M4 shoulder-launched weapon system in India. The manufacturing will take place at Saab's newly established plant located in the Jhajjar district of Haryana. Saab FFVO India Pvt Ltd is the inaugural instance of 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in India's defense industry. Typically, India permits up to 74% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defense sector. However, a full 100% FDI is only granted on a selective basis, depending on the specific circumstances.

Saab FFVO will produce state-of-the-art rocket launchers for the Indian armed forces, as well as components for international customers of the weapon system. The Indian Army has utilized the Carl-Gustaf weapon system since 1976, and the M2 and M3 variants of the system have been manufactured under license in India. This will be Saab's inaugural establishment of a manufacturing plant for the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system beyond the borders of Sweden.

Saab has announced its collaboration with Indian suppliers and its commitment to fully comply with the Make in India standards for the systems produced at the plant, as stated in the company's official statement.

Global security concerns are a driving force behind the expansion of the Global Shoulder Fired Weapons Market Industry. Heightened threats from terrorism and regional conflicts compel nations to bolster their defense capabilities. Governments are increasingly recognizing the necessity of equipping their armed forces with effective shoulder-fired weapons to address these challenges. As a result, the market is poised for growth, with an anticipated increase to 10.2 USD Billion by 2035. This trend underscores the importance of maintaining a robust defense posture in an unpredictable global landscape.

The Global Shoulder Fired Weapons Market Industry is significantly influenced by the rise of asymmetric warfare tactics. Non-state actors and insurgent groups increasingly utilize shoulder-fired weapons due to their portability and ease of use. This trend has prompted governments to adapt their military strategies, focusing on counterinsurgency operations that require effective shoulder-fired systems. The growing prevalence of such conflicts indicates a sustained demand for these weapons, which may contribute to a compound annual growth rate of 4.67% from 2025 to 2035, reflecting the evolving nature of modern warfare.

The Global Shoulder Fired Weapons Market Industry is experiencing growth due to rising defense budgets across various nations. Countries are investing heavily in modernizing their military capabilities, which includes the procurement of shoulder-fired weapons. For instance, in 2024, the market is projected to reach 6.2 USD Billion, driven by increased spending from nations such as the United States and India. This trend suggests that as geopolitical tensions escalate, governments are likely to prioritize the enhancement of their armed forces, thereby fueling demand for advanced shoulder-fired systems.

Technological innovations play a crucial role in shaping the Global Shoulder Fired Weapons Market Industry. The development of lightweight materials and advanced targeting systems has led to the creation of more effective and user-friendly shoulder-fired weapons. For example, the integration of smart technologies enhances accuracy and reduces the training time required for operators. As these advancements continue, the market is expected to grow, with projections indicating a rise to 10.2 USD Billion by 2035. This suggests that ongoing research and development efforts will likely drive the evolution of shoulder-fired weaponry.

The Global Shoulder Fired Weapons Market Industry is characterized by various trends and projections that indicate its future trajectory. With a projected market value of 10.2 USD Billion by 2035 and a compound annual growth rate of 4.67% from 2025 to 2035, the industry is poised for steady growth. Factors such as increasing defense budgets, technological advancements, and rising security concerns contribute to this positive outlook. Additionally, the market's dynamics are shaped by the evolving nature of warfare and the need for effective, portable weapon systems in diverse operational environments.

Military modernization programs across various countries are significantly impacting the Global Shoulder Fired Weapons Market Industry. Nations are actively seeking to replace outdated systems with advanced shoulder-fired weapons that offer improved performance and reliability. These modernization efforts are often driven by the need to enhance operational readiness and effectiveness in combat scenarios. As a result, the market is projected to reach 6.2 USD Billion in 2024, with continued investments expected to sustain growth. This trend highlights the ongoing commitment of governments to ensure their armed forces are equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry.

By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World. North America experience significant growth with the rising number of research and development activities for developing innovative technology-based designs of portable warfare systems. Advancement in technology in the warfare platform is boosting the growth of the North America shoulder-fired weapon market. The adoption of man-portable anti-tank weapons, as well as a man-portable air defense system, provides an advantage to troops by destroying targets without concern about the precision of the strike as well as the weight of the weapon.

With the increase in the use of sophisticated armored machinery in war, various countries are increasing their adoption of MANPADS. Advanced MANPADS are installed with ultraviolet sensors for the detection of radiation, infrared sensors for smart control units, and heat detection. 

The common MANPADS are infrared seekers which acquire the targets by detecting of aircraft engine heat. Modern MANPADS include Igla and Strela weapons, as well as stinger shoulder weapons. The military conflict between Ukraine and Russia has driven some developments in terms of the procurement and supply of shoulder-fired weapons. For example, in May 2022, The US government planned for supplying thousand of javelin and stinger shoulder-fired weapons to Ukraine. Additionally country has placed orders for javelin in May 2022. These weapons are produced in partnership between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

Furthermore, with rising incidents of drone strikes as well as air space intrusions, forces across the world are seeking innovative MANPADS for air defense.

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

Figure 2: Shoulder-fired Weapons MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (USD Billion)

Asia Pacific Shoulder-fired Weapons has several largest importers of weapons, such as China, India, South Korea, and Pakistan. India's and China's defense budgets have been increasing. It is expected that China has spent around USD 293 billion in military expenditure as of 2021, with India's, defense spending computed at a total of USD 76.6 billion. China is a significant developer of shoulder-fired weapons, as well as its investment in the development the smart sensor-based weapons-based weapons having the capability of differencing between friends, foes, and neutral targets, for reducing the accidental shooting of vehicle and civilian aircraft.

The country is investing heavily in the development of shoulder-fired weapons. In February 2022, China has done testing of QW-12 modern MANPADS for intercepting jet aircraft, helicopters as well as cruise missiles in a live fire test. 

The MANAPAD can hit a particularly designed target aircraft. India, with its military conflicts with china, has also heavily invested in the improvement of its portable weapons inventory. For instance, in April 2022, the country induced new MANPADS into defense. A few of the Russian-built Igla-S system MANPADS were tested, as well a much larger order of these is anticipated in the coming year. The order includes 216 missiles, 24 launches as well as testing equipment. India is also investing majorly in the improvement of the existing anti-tank as well as anti-missile capabilities.

For example, in January 2022, the Indian Airforce and Indian Army partnered with Saab AB to obtain an AT4 single-shot shoulder-fired weapon via the competitive program. 

The  shoulder fired weapons market has witnessed high growth in recent years owing to the increasing defense expenditure, increasing need for portable anti-tank weapons, and increasing demand for lightweight guided weapons. However, the transfer of technology and restriction on the sale and traumatic brain injuries caused using shoulder fired weapons is expected to hinder the growth of the market to some extent. The market in this region is projected to expand at a high CAGR during the forecast period.

Increasing defense expenditure and rising terrorist activities in India, Indonesia, and Australia are driving the growth of the market in the region. Also, in July 2020, the Indian army announced the procurement of the Spike LR Anti-tank guided missiles from Israel. Further, the China Shoulder-fired Weapons market held the largest market share, and the India Shoulder-fired Weapons market was the fastest growing market in the region.

Europe Shoulder-fired Weapons market accounts for the second-largest market share Upgradation in artillery and armor has resulted in increasing demand for defense and military products, thereby driving revenues in the shoulder-fired weapon market. Increasing asymmetrical warfare, rising security requirements as well as protection against terrorist activities along with advancement in forces have been driving the growth of the shoulder-fired weapon market. Rising demand from the government for advancing weapons in the national armory system was further attributed to the growth of the shoulder-fired weapon market. 

Although, the demand for the automated missile system and associated surface fighting equipment that lacks human interface (HI) is likely to pose threats to the growth of the shoulder-fired weapon market.   The rising adoption of advanced weapons as well as significant growth in the military along with defense sectors represents a major factor boosting the demand for shoulder-fired weapons around the globe. The increasing instances of violence, terrorism, and armed conflicts are driving market growth. 

Furthermore, the growth in the investment by the defense as well as military organizations in the upgradation of infrastructure for enhancing national security is supporting the growth of the market. Furthermore, there is a rise in demand for man-portable air defense systems that offer a massive advantage to military forces. Several players are developing smart shoulder-fired weapons embedded in electronic warfare systems for providing augmented reality information to operators.

They also integrate artificial intelligence, satellite guidance systems as well as machine learning which allow military personnel to deal with combatants in the war as well as minimize the collateral damage thus attributed to the market. Moreover, UK Shoulder-fired Weapons market held the largest market share, and the Germany Shoulder-fired Weapons market was the fastest-growing market in the region.

Major market players are spending a lot of money on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the schizophrenia market grow even more. Market participants are also taking a range of strategic initiatives to grow their worldwide footprint, with key market developments such as new product launches, mergers and acquisitions, contractual agreements, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the Shoulder-fired Weapons industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.

In October 2021, the production lines for man-portable missiles and a facility for generating solid fuel were officially opened in the presence of Iran's highest-ranking military leaders. The facility serves as a mass production line for sophisticated shoulder-launched missiles and also functions as a hub for manufacturing hybrid solid fuel specifically designed for ground forces' missiles. 

These shoulder-launched missiles come in numerous types, with a range of around 5 kilometers, and are capable of engaging different targets. They have successfully completed rigorous testing. The armed forces have identified the need to enhance the range and speed of missiles employed in ground operations. Today, they have introduced a new solid fuel that is projected to significantly increase the power of tactical ground-to-ground, anti-tank, and low altitude air defense missiles.