Russia Ammunition Market Overview, 2030

As one of the largest military powers globally, Russia has a large domestic demand for ammunition, driven by its military modernization and defense commitments. The ammunition market in Russia spans a broad range of products, including small-caliber ammunition for firearms, medium and large-caliber ammunition for artillery and tanks, as well as missiles and specialized ordnance for both conventional and non-conventional military operations. Russia's market for ammunition is not only defined by its large-scale production and consumption for its armed forces, but it is also a major exporter of munitions globally. It supplies ammunition to allied countries and other international markets, contributing to its role as a key player in global arms sales. The development and supply of ammunition in Russia are largely driven by state-owned companies such as Russian Ammunition, VPK (Military Industrial Company), and Konkord. Russia has been focusing on modernizing its military capabilities, which directly impacts the ammunition market. Ongoing tensions with NATO, the European Union, and other neighboring countries, particularly with Ukraine and its surrounding regions, drive continuous investment in ammunition to ensure readiness for defense. This reliance could limit the growth of private companies and hinder the market's overall competitiveness and innovation in some areas. Russia’s economy faces volatility due to fluctuating oil prices, international sanctions, and domestic challenges, which could reduce defense spending in the long term, potentially limiting growth opportunities for the ammunition market. Russia’s involvement in regional conflicts, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, could lead to increased political instability. Russia’s adherence to or potential withdrawal from arms control treaties, such as the INF Treaty (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty) and the START Treaty, can impact the availability and development of certain types of ammunition, particularly nuclear-capable munitions and long-range missile systems.

According to the research report ""Russia Ammunition Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Russia Ammunition market is anticipated to grow at more than 4.62% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. There is an increasing trend toward less-lethal and non-lethal ammunition as Russian authorities prioritize public safety and human rights in maintaining internal order. Russia has been increasingly focusing on greener ammunition alternatives and sustainability in response to environmental concerns. This includes the reduction of toxic substances used in traditional ammunition manufacturing, such as lead and mercury. Some Russian companies are investing in environmentally friendly primers and recyclable materials to reduce the environmental impact of ammunition. There are also efforts to develop lead-free bullets, which have become more of a necessity due to environmental regulations in certain areas, especially in sport shooting and hunting. The progress in this area is still in the early stages compared to Western countries, and the focus is primarily on military needs rather than broad consumer use. The government has passed policies aimed at ensuring the continued development of the defense industry, which includes ammunition manufacturing. The future outlook for Russia’s ammunition market is largely shaped by advancements in smart ammunition and precision-guided munitions. The development of artillery shells with guided warheads, laser-guided missiles, and explosively formed penetrators are likely to dominate Russia's ammunition development strategies. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, including Russia's ammunition market. Lockdowns, labor shortages, and restrictions on exports affected ammunition production and the availability of raw materials. The defense sector remained somewhat insulated due to its strategic importance, and efforts to continue military readiness persisted despite the challenges. The Russia-Ukraine war has had a significant impact on the ammunition market. The war has also prompted Russia to increase its focus on self-reliance in defense production and has accelerated the development of advanced precision-guided munitions. The military conflict has highlighted the need for rapid rearmament and the efficient supply of ammunition, leading to higher production rates and a focus on modernizing military arsenals.

Small-caliber bullets are essential to the Russian military and civilian sectors, primarily used in firearms like rifles, handguns, and machine guns. The most common types of bullets in Russia include 5.45mm, 7.62mm, and 9mm rounds, which are used in the iconic AK-series rifles and other standard-issue weapons for both infantry and law enforcement. Aerial bombs are a critical component of Russia’s air force, deployed in both conventional and strategic operations. These include general-purpose bombs, guided bombs, and cluster bombs. Russia manufactures a range of aerial bombs for various aircraft, such as the Su-24 and Su-34 fighter jets. These bombs are designed for both precision strikes and area bombardment, depending on the mission's needs. Russia produces a variety of hand grenades, including fragmentation grenades for anti-personnel use and smoke grenades for tactical concealment. RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) systems are a key component of Russia’s grenade-based weaponry, widely used by Russian forces and in international conflicts. Artillery shells are among the most significant products in the Russian ammunition market. These shells are fired from large-caliber artillery systems such as howitzers, tanks, and self-propelled artillery. The demand for modern artillery shells is driven by the country’s focus on enhancing its artillery capabilities, with an emphasis on precision-guided munitions that can accurately target enemy positions at long ranges. Mortars are used by the Russian military to provide indirect fire support, launching high-explosive shells over short to medium distances. Russian forces rely on mortars ranging from 82mm to 120mm, which are deployed by infantry units to provide close support. Mortar systems are typically used in rapid response scenarios to support ground troops by suppressing enemy forces or neutralizing threats. Russia has focused on developing more advanced mortar shells, including guided mortars, which enhance accuracy and effectiveness on the battlefield.

The ammunition market in Russia is divided into three main categories by caliber, large caliber (above 40mm), medium caliber (12.7mm to 40mm), and small caliber (up to 12.7mm). Each category serves distinct purposes within Russia’s military, law enforcement, and civilian sectors. Large-caliber ammunition in Russia is primarily used in heavy artillery, tank guns, and anti-aircraft systems. This category includes 40mm grenades, 100mm to 125mm shells for tanks, and larger projectiles used in naval artillery and air-to-ground weapons. Russian military systems such as self-propelled artillery and multi-barrel rocket launchers rely on large-caliber rounds for their long-range firepower and high-explosive capabilities. These rounds are typically used in combat operations for suppression, bombardment, and area denial strategies, and their usage is mainly restricted to military forces and defense systems. Medium-caliber ammunition plays a crucial role in anti-aircraft systems, machine guns, and light anti-tank weapons in Russia’s military arsenal. The most common calibers in this range include 12.7mm (used in heavy machine guns like the DShK) and 20mm to 30mm rounds used in cannon systems on armored vehicles and aircraft. Russia has made significant strides in the production of medium-caliber ammunition for air defense systems such as the ZSU-23-4 Shilka and military helicopters. This category is also essential for law enforcement and special operations, with rounds designed for close-quarters combat and defensive tactics. The small-caliber ammunition market is the largest and most diverse in Russia, encompassing calibers such as 5.45mm, 5.56mm, 7.62mm, and 9mm, primarily used in infantry rifles, handguns, submachine guns, and personal defense weapons. The 5.45mm and 7.62mm rounds are the standard ammunition for the AK-series rifles used by Russian forces. This category also includes ammunition for pistols, such as 9mm rounds, commonly used by law enforcement and security personnel. The demand for small-caliber ammunition is not only driven by military needs but also by sport shooting, hunting, and self-defense activities in the civilian market.

The defense and military sector is the largest consumer of ammunition in Russia. The Russian Armed Forces require a wide variety of ammunition types, ranging from small-caliber rounds for personal firearms like the AK-series rifles to large-caliber artillery shells for self-propelled guns and tanks. The Russian military invests heavily in precision-guided munitions (PGMs) and long-range artillery systems, making the demand for advanced and diverse ammunition types a critical component of national defense. Ammunition for air defense systems and naval artillery is essential for maintaining Russia’s global military presence. In Russia, law enforcement agencies are significant consumers of ammunition, especially small-caliber rounds for handguns and shotguns. The 9mm and 7.62mm calibers are commonly used by police officers, border guards, and Special Forces for both routine operations and counter-terrorism missions. In urban environments or in crowd control scenarios, Russian law enforcement relies on non-lethal rounds such as rubber bullets and tear gas canisters. This sector’s demand for ammunition is largely driven by the need for public safety and internal security. Hunting & Sport Shooting: The hunting and sport shooting sector also plays a crucial role in Russia’s ammunition market. Sport shooting is a well-established tradition in Russia, with competitions and training exercises driving the demand for target ammunition. The Russian market is home to numerous manufacturers that cater to both hunting and shooting enthusiasts, and it also serves a growing international demand for sport-specific ammunition. The commercial use of ammunition includes various civilian applications beyond hunting, sport shooting, and law enforcement. This includes the production and sale of ammunition for self-defense and private security companies. Private security firms use ammunition primarily for training, while civilian self-defense ammunition is in demand for personal safety purposes.


Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Ammunition Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product
• Bullets
• Aerial Bombs
• Grenades
• Artillery Shells
• Mortars

By Caliber
• Large Caliber (Above 40mm)
• Medium Caliber (12.7mm to 40mm)
• Small Caliber (Up to 12.7mm)

By Application
• Defense & Military
• Law Enforcement
• Hunting & Sport Shooting
• Commercial Use

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to agriculture industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.