Spain Ammunition Market Overview, 2030

Spain, being a NATO member and an active participant in international military operations, has a well-established domestic ammunition market, catering primarily to the defense, law enforcement, and civilian sectors. The ammunition market in Spain is driven by its defense and law enforcement needs, which rely heavily on both domestic manufacturing and international imports. Spain's ammunition manufacturing industry is well-developed, with several key players in both small and large-caliber ammunition. The market benefits from Spain's strong defense export sector, with various international contracts for supplying ammunition to countries around the world. Spain has been modernizing its military, which involves the procurement of advanced weapon systems, including precision-guided ammunition and ammunition for new artillery and small arms. This drives demand for more specialized and higher-quality ammunition. The increased focus on counter-terrorism and internal security has prompted law enforcement agencies to invest in more advanced ammunition, such as non-lethal rounds and ammunition for specialized rifles. The increasing complexity and technological advancement of ammunition, including smart munitions, precision-guided bombs, and other high-tech ammunition, can lead to higher costs. The economic pressures of maintaining defense budgets while acquiring advanced technology can limit the procurement of such advanced products, especially during times of budget cuts. There is a growing opportunity for Spanish ammunition manufacturers to expand exports to other countries, particularly in regions with increasing defense budgets or ongoing military operations. Spain is home to Explosivos Alaveses, one of the country’s leading manufacturers of military-grade ammunition, which produces ammunition for both small arms and artillery. Spain is a significant exporter of ammunition, with Spanish companies like Maxam providing ammunition to countries involved in NATO operations, as well as to international clients in the Middle East and Latin America.

According to the research report, ""Spain Ammunition Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Spain Ammunition market is anticipated to add to more than USD 160 Million by 2025–30. Spain is bound by various international arms control treaties, such as the EU Arms Trade Treaty and UN Arms Trade Treaty, which impose restrictions on the production and trade of certain ammunition types, particularly for regions with ongoing conflicts. These treaties often result in tighter regulations and constraints on the export of ammunition, affecting Spain's ability to capitalize on global defense contracts. These regulations also influence the development of advanced munitions, as Spain must comply with international restrictions on military exports and ensure its products meet standards for non-proliferation and human rights. As terrorism and organized crime continue to be persistent concerns in Spain and Europe, the risk of ammunition falling into the wrong hands, or being used for unlawful activities, could lead to stricter control measures and regulatory scrutiny. The shift toward non-lethal options is in line with broader global trends focused on reducing the impact of force during policing while maintaining public safety. Spanish manufacturers are developing safer and more effective non-lethal munitions, which are increasingly used by law enforcement in Spain and other European countries. Environmental concerns, particularly related to lead contamination in hunting and shooting ranges, have driven Spain to focus on lead-free ammunition. Companies in Spain’s defense sector, such as Maxam and Explosivos Alaveses, have been involved in strategic partnerships and acquisitions to expand their technological capabilities and global reach. These partnerships enhance their ability to compete in the global defense market by pooling resources and expertise to develop advanced ammunition systems.

The Spanish Armed Forces require bullets for a variety of firearms, including handguns, rifles, and machine guns. For civilian use, bullets are commonly used in hunting and sport shooting, which are very popular activities in Spain. Law enforcement agencies in Spain use small-caliber ammunition for sidearms and specialized weapons in their day-to-day operations. The demand for high-performance, precise bullets continue to grow as Spain’s military modernizes its small arms inventory. Spain’s military, particularly its Air Force, uses aerial bombs for airstrikes and precision targeting in combat scenarios. These bombs are crucial for both defensive and offensive military operations, and their development has advanced with guided bombs and smart munitions that offer higher accuracy and reduce collateral damage. Spain also engages in the development of these types of bombs through companies like Indra and Navantia, contributing to both national defense and international defense markets. Hand grenades and launchable grenades are essential for infantry units, providing soldiers with close-range explosive power. Spain’s military forces, including the Spanish Army and Marines, use grenades for both offensive and defensive tactics in urban warfare and trench combat. Artillery shells are used in large-caliber weapons, such as howitzers and self-propelled guns, providing long-range support on the battlefield. Spain’s artillery units rely on these shells for targeting and neutralizing distant targets, a key aspect of their military doctrine. Companies like Santa Barbara Sistemas are central to the development and supply of these artillery systems, which are widely used in Spain’s defense strategy and exported to allied nations.

The ammunition market in Spain is segmented based on caliber, the primary categories include large caliber (above 40mm), medium caliber (12.7mm to 40mm), and small caliber (up to 12.7mm) ammunition. Large-caliber ammunition includes rounds used in anti-aircraft guns, tank cannons, naval artillery, and large-caliber grenade launchers. These types of munitions are essential for heavy artillery and long-range firepower. In Spain, large-caliber ammunition is mainly used by the Spanish Army and Air Force, where it supports artillery units, anti-tank operations, and air defense systems. Notably, Spanish manufacturers like Santa Barbara Sistemas produce 40mm grenade rounds for infantry support weapons and larger artillery systems. Medium-caliber ammunition is used in machine guns, anti-materiel rifles, and medium-caliber artillery. This range of ammunition provides a balance between firepower and portability, making it suitable for both ground and air defense applications. In Spain, 12.7mm rounds, commonly used in heavy machine guns like the Browning M2 and anti-materiel rifles, are widely used by the military and law enforcement. The demand for medium-caliber ammunition in Spain is fueled by the need for both defensive and offensive operations, including anti-vehicle and anti-aircraft roles. Small-caliber ammunition encompasses rounds used in pistols, rifles, and light machine guns. This category is the most widely used in Spain, particularly in the civilian sector for hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense, as well as by the Spanish Armed Forces and law enforcement. The most common calibers in this range are 9mm, 5.56mm, and 7.62mm, which are used in weapons such as assault rifles and submachine guns. Spain’s military relies heavily on small-caliber ammunition for infantry and police forces. Manufacturers like Maxam and Explosivos Alaveses produce small-caliber ammunition for various applications, ensuring that Spain’s defense forces are equipped with reliable and accurate munitions. In the civilian sector, small-caliber ammunition remains the most popular for recreational shooting and hunting activities.

As a NATO member and a key player in European defense, Spain’s armed forces require a broad range of ammunition types, including small-caliber ammunition for infantry rifles and large-caliber shells for artillery and armored vehicles. The Spanish military has a focus on advanced ammunition technologies, including smart munitions and precision-guided systems, to enhance battlefield effectiveness and reduce collateral damage. Spain’s participation in international peacekeeping missions and its defense commitments to NATO continually drive the demand for modern, high-performance ammunition. Ammunition used by law enforcement agencies in Spain is critical for maintaining public order and safety. Spanish police forces rely on small-caliber rounds for firearms, particularly for sidearms and submachine guns. Law enforcement also uses less-lethal ammunition such as rubber bullets and tear gas to manage crowd control and protests. The Spanish government has strict regulations regarding the use of force, and as such, law enforcement agencies are increasingly turning to non-lethal options to handle public disturbances. Hunters primarily use shotguns and rifles, which require small-caliber rounds and shotgun shells. Sport shooting is also a popular activity, with competitions such as trap and skeet shooting being widespread. The growing popularity of shooting sports and the abundance of game in rural Spain keep the market for hunting and sport shooting ammunition robust. The commercial use of ammunition in Spain includes sales to private security companies, shooting ranges, and collectors. Private security firms require ammunition for training purposes, while shooting ranges see a steady demand for ammunition for both recreational shooters and professional training. There is a market for military surplus ammunition and historical collectible munitions, which appeal to collectors and military enthusiasts.


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.