United Kingdom Ammunition Market Overview, 2030

The United Kingdom has a strong defense sector and is one of the largest markets for ammunition in Europe. Military and Defense Sector is the largest segment, as the UK has one of the world's most powerful military forces. The UK’s defense strategy and military engagements, both at home and abroad, drive a substantial demand for ammunition. The UK's armed forces (including the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force) require high-quality, advanced ammunition for operational readiness. Police and other law enforcement agencies use a wide range of ammunition for tactical operations, crowd control, and security purposes. With ongoing concerns regarding public safety and rising security threats, the demand for law enforcement ammunition has increased. The UK is a major exporter of ammunition, particularly to countries with high defense spending. The rising global threat of terrorism and national security concerns have led to a steady demand for both military and law enforcement ammunition. While regulations can be a constraint, they also help maintain the integrity and quality of the market by curbing illegal trafficking. Due to the sensitivity surrounding firearms and ammunition, political and social resistance can be a challenge. Anti-gun lobbying groups and the public sentiment against weapons-related violence can create barriers to market growth, especially in the civilian sector. Many of the UK's ammunition manufacturers are closely integrated with the defense industry, creating a unique synergy between defense contracts, military supply chains, and ammunition production. The UK is increasingly focusing on advanced military technology. The demand for precision-guided and smart ammunition is growing, particularly in the military sector. A leading global defense company, BAE Systems is involved in the development and production of ammunition and defense systems.

According to the research report, ""United Kingdom Ammunition Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the United Kingdom Ammunition market is anticipated to add to more than USD 230 Million by 2025–30. Changes in customs, tariffs, and export-import regulations have created uncertainties, particularly for manufacturers relying on EU markets or suppliers. Political instability within the EU or in other parts of the world can also lead to shifts in global trade patterns and security concerns. This restricts the sale and distribution of ammunition to certain countries, particularly those involved in conflict or with unstable political environments. While still in its infancy, 3D printing could allow for rapid prototyping and production of ammunition components, enabling more custom and on-demand solutions for military applications. This could result in both cost savings and increased flexibility for the UK’s armed forces. The development of greener propellants that reduce the environmental impact of ammunition is another area of focus. Traditional gunpowder contains toxic chemicals that can lead to soil and water contamination. New formulations for propellants are being developed to be more environmentally friendly, without compromising the performance or reliability of ammunition. BAE Systems has historically acquired smaller defense companies to broaden its ammunition and armament offerings, especially those specializing in precision-guided and advanced ammunition. Thales UK, a key player in the UK ammunition market, has integrated acquisitions that allow them to offer a wider array of ammunition types and solutions for both military and law enforcement. The UK’s strict firearm regulations are governed by the Firearms Act 1968, which regulates the use, possession, and sale of ammunition. Changes in this law directly impact the ammunition market, especially in terms of who can legally purchase ammunition and how it is stored and distributed. The future of ammunition in the UK lies in the development of dual-use ammunition, which can serve both military and law enforcement purposes. These versatile products will likely include high-tech, precision rounds that can be adapted for various applications.

Bullets are the most common form of ammunition in the UK, primarily used in small arms for both military and civilian purposes. This category includes rounds for rifles, handguns, and shotguns. In the military context, bullets are used by the British Army, Navy, and Air Force, while the civilian market mostly caters to hunting and sports shooting enthusiasts, with strict regulations governing their purchase and use. Aerial bombs are used primarily by the UK’s air force for military operations. These include general-purpose bombs, precision-guided bombs, and smart munitions, which are designed to hit specific targets with accuracy. Aerial bombs are integral to the UK's defense strategy, especially in counter-terrorism and peacekeeping operations abroad. The development of more advanced, precise aerial bombs has been a focus in recent years, improving the UK’s operational capabilities. Grenades are used both by military forces and law enforcement for a variety of purposes, including area denial, anti-personnel, and crowd control. In the UK, law enforcement agencies also use specialized grenades for riot control, although these are regulated strictly due to their potential for harm. The military uses grenades in tactical operations, providing a versatile option for combat situations. Artillery shells are used in large-caliber weapons such as howitzers and field guns. The UK military relies on artillery shells for long-range fire support, particularly in ground operations and to provide heavy firepower in battlefield engagements. These shells have evolved into more sophisticated munitions, including guided projectiles, enhancing accuracy and minimizing collateral damage. Mortars are short-barrel, portable artillery pieces used by infantry and other military units for close support. Mortar shells are designed to be fired at high angles to hit targets in trenches or behind cover. The UK military regularly uses mortars in combat situations, as they offer flexibility and effectiveness in urban warfare and other tactical scenarios.

Ammunition with a caliber above 40mm typically refers to heavy artillery, grenade launchers, and certain types of mortars and aerial bombs. In the UK, large caliber ammunition is primarily used by the military, especially for long-range fire support and heavy bombardment. The British Army and Royal Navy, for instance, rely on large-caliber munitions like 105mm and 155mm artillery shells for battlefield operations. Anti-aircraft and anti-tank systems often employ large-caliber ammunition to disable enemy vehicles or aircraft. Due to its size and destructive power, this sector is highly regulated, especially in terms of manufacturing and export. Medium-caliber ammunition ranges from 12.7mm rounds used in heavy machine guns to 40mm rounds used in grenade launchers. This category is essential for both military and law enforcement applications. The British Army uses medium-caliber ammunition for anti-aircraft guns, while the Royal Marines utilize 40mm grenades for rapid-response situations and crowd control. Law enforcement may use 12.7mm ammunition for specialized firearms designed for high-impact and disabling vehicles. The demand for this caliber is closely tied to defense contracts and counter-terrorism efforts, and these rounds often feature advanced technologies like armor-piercing or high-explosive designs. Small-caliber ammunition, typically up to 12.7mm, includes rounds for personal firearms such as rifles, handguns, and shotguns. This category dominates the civilian market in the UK, as it is widely used in hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense (under strict regulations). The military utilizes small-caliber ammunition for small arms, including the standard issue for infantry soldiers. The UK’s strict gun control laws affect the civilian sector, but small-caliber ammunition remains a cornerstone of both recreational shooting and military readiness.

Ammunition in this category includes everything from small arms ammunition to large-caliber shells, artillery, and guided munitions. Ammunition used by the military is often highly specialized, with increasing demand for precision-guided munitions, smart ammunition, and more advanced systems that minimize collateral damage while maximizing efficiency in modern warfare. Ammunition for law enforcement in the UK is used primarily for security, counter-terrorism operations, crowd control, and tactical operations. Police forces use a range of ammunition types, from less-lethal options like rubber bullets and bean bags to standard service rounds for firearms. The law enforcement sector’s demand for ammunition has been increasing due to rising security threats and the need for specialized tools to address terrorism and organized crime. As such, the use of non-lethal ammunition and training rounds is expanding in the UK, where police forces are increasingly adopting less harmful solutions in line with public safety priorities. The hunting and sport shooting sector, though smaller than the defense and military sectors, remains a key part of the ammunition market in the UK. Hunting is legal in certain contexts, and sport shooting is a popular recreational activity. Ammunition used in this sector includes shotgun cartridges, rifle rounds, and airgun pellets. Strict regulations, such as the Firearms Act 1968, govern civilian use, limiting the types of ammunition that can be purchased and how it can be used. Despite these restrictions, sport shooting and hunting continue to drive demand for smaller caliber rounds, particularly for target practice and hunting game. Commercial use refers to the broader industrial applications of ammunition, including training, simulation, and specialized sectors like security contractors. This sector involves the use of ammunition for private companies involved in defense contracts or security services. Commercial use can also include the production of ammunition for training purposes, where simulation rounds and blank ammunition are utilized for tactical exercises.


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.