AM News

Automatic Weapons Market Size

Automatic Weapons Market size was estimated at USD 9.25 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of more than 7% during 2024-2032. The automatic weapons market is projected to increase considerably owing largely to increasing defence budgets across the globe.

More and more nations are reacting to increasing geopolitical tensions and security threats by increasing their defence budgets. More funding enables the possibility to invest heavily in state-of-the-art weapons, like automatics, to enhance the strength of the national defense. This is particularly evident in regions, like the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, where there are ongoing conflicts or perceived threats. The availability of additional funding also promotes R&D, purchases of modern weaponry, and updates of existing arsenals, which all spur the demand for automatic weapons.

Automatic Weapons Market Report Attributes

There is strong driving force behind the market for automatic weapons coming from significant technological advances in weapons. Automatic weapons are becoming more effective, reliable, and powerful with advances in digital integration, precision engineering, and materials science. Contemporary automatic firearms are more accurate, have less recoil, and have higher firing rates, among other features that render them more effective in combat. Additionally, the effectiveness of operation of such firearms is enhanced by the use of smart technologies, including advanced targeting systems and networked communication features. Such innovations not only make automatic firearms more attractive to militaries, but they also induce ongoing enhancements and fresh acquisitions.

Automatic weapon market is deeply confronted by the rigid regulations. The governments in all parts of the globe issue rigorous laws and policies for automatic weapons’ manufacture, distribution, and sale in order to prevent misuse and protect the public’s safety. Many such rules usually have rigorous licencing processes, restrictions on exporting, and the requirement to observe global arms pacts. Players may face challenging and costly conditions while complying with such regulatory policies, which hamper market growth and pose difficulties to new firms’ entry.

Automatic Weapons Market Trends
One of the major trends in the automatic weapons market is the increasing application of smart weapon systems. These weapon systems integrate state-of-the-art technology to enhance operating efficiency, situational awareness, and accuracy of aiming through AI, IoT, and better optics. Real-time data and analytics from smart weapons are made available to operators through their connectivity with other devices. This integration of technology enhances battlefield effectiveness and is in line with modern military strategies that emphasize precision and communication. For example, in January 2023, Sig Sauer was chosen by the U.S. Army to participate in the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program, which involves intelligent features like built-in fire control systems and sophisticated targeting technology.

Another significant development shaping the demand for automatic weapons is the emergence of unmanned combat systems, e.g., drones and autonomous ground vehicles. Automatic rifles are typically integrated into these platforms for autonomous and remote operations, reducing the risk to human soldiers and enhancing flexibility in operations. The need to reduce human casualties in combat environments and gain sophisticated military capabilities is what fuels the demand for such systems. For example, in April 2022, Russia presented the Uran-9 unmanned combat ground vehicle developed by Kalashnikov Concern, with automatic cannons and machine guns, reflecting the integration of automatic weapons in unmanned platforms to improve combat capability.

Automatic Weapons Market Analysis
Discover more about the dominant segments influencing this market
On the basis of type, the market is categorized into fully automatic and semi-automatic. The semi-automatic segment leads the market and is anticipated to grow over 10 billion by 2032.

The semi-automatic type of automatic weapons comprises weapons that fire one round for each trigger pull but do not need human intervention to chamber the next round. Upon firing, the spent cartridge is ejected automatically, and a new round is loaded into the chamber from a removable magazine.
This design allows for rapid and efficient shooting since the shooter can continue firing as long as the magazine has rounds. Semi-automatic firearms are the best because they are accurate, easy to use, and adaptable in both civilian and military environments. They provide users with strong firepower while maintaining control and reducing recoil compared to fully automatic weapons. These firearms can be employed for anything from self-defense to law enforcement and sporting shooting.

Automatic Weapons Market Companies

Major players operating in the automatic weapons industry are

• BAE Systems PLC
• FN Herstal
• General Dynamics Corporation
• Israel Weapon Industries Ltd.
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Rheinmetall AG

Automatic Weapons Industry News

• In March 2023, Lockheed Martin announced the successful development of an advanced AI-powered automatic weapon system capable of real-time target acquisition and engagement. With the use of machine learning algorithms, this innovative technology seeks to improve military operations’ accuracy and efficiency by adjusting to changing battle situations. The development highlighted how artificial intelligence is being used into automatic weapons to provide the U.S. military with a major tactical advantage.
• In February 2023, Rheinmetall AG, a leading German defense contractor. The German government declared that it was going to boost defense expenditures significantly by putting a large amount of money toward modernizing the country’s arsenals and buying cutting-edge automatic weapons by partnering with Rheinmetall AG. The company will be instrumental in providing cutting-edge weapon systems, such as intelligent automatic rifles. This action is a component of Germany’s larger plan to bolster its military might in the face of escalating geopolitical unrest.