Light Weapons Market Report by Type (Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs), Grenades and Grenade Launchers, Mortars, Man-portable Anti-tank Systems (MANPATS), Man-portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), and Others), Technology (Guided, Unguided), Application (Defense

Light Weapons Market Report by Type (Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs), Grenades and Grenade Launchers, Mortars, Man-portable Anti-tank Systems (MANPATS), Man-portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), and Others), Technology (Guided, Unguided), Application (Defense, Homeland Security), and Region 2024-2032


The global light weapons market size reached US$ 13.8 Billion in 2023. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach US$ 20.5 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.41% during 2024-2032.

Light weapons refer to a group of weapons that are designed to be used by more than one crew member but can also be used by one individual under certain conditions. They are predominantly used by defense forces in combat missions and naval operations. It comprises heavy machine guns, mounted grenade launchers, MANPADS (man-portable anti-defense systems), recoilless rifles, anti-tank missile launchers, anti-tank guns, landmines, mortars of lesser caliber, and anti-aircraft missiles. Technologies for guided weapons as well as unguided weapons are used in the production of these weapons. Some of the common materials used in the manufacturing of these weapons include steel and polymers. Defense and homeland security are two of the major applications of light weapons.

Light Weapons Market Trends:

The market is primarily driven by significant growth in the military and defense sector due to the escalating demand for advanced weapons. This can be attributed to the increasing adoption of precision-guided firearms with advanced features, such as targeting, fire control, and advanced head-up display technologies. An increasing number of contracts for light weapons from military forces and homeland security are also providing a boost to the market. Moreover, extensive research and development (R&D) activities conducted by key weapon manufacturers are creating a positive market outlook. The market is also propelled by continual technological advancements in weapon manufacturing, such as the advent of an increased range of anti-tank missiles, integration of laser systems in light cannons, and incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) features. A considerable increase in terrorism, cross-border disputes, and political unrest between neighboring countries are further contributing to a significant rise in the uptake of light weapons. Some of the other factors contributing to the market include the low production cost of the product, the expanding military modernization programs, and the rising defense expenditure.

Key Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global light weapons market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2024-2032. Our report has categorized the market based on type, technology and application.

Breakup by Type:
  • Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs)
  • Grenades and Grenade Launchers
  • Mortars
  • Man-portable Anti-tank Systems (MANPATS)
  • Man-portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS)
  • Others
Breakup by Technology:
  • Guided
  • Laser Guided
  • Infrared Guided
  • Satellite Guided
  • Semi-automatic Command to Line of Sight
  • Unguided
Breakup by Application:
  • Defense
  • Homeland Security
Breakup by Region:
  • North America
  • United States
  • Canada
  • Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
  • Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
  • Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being BAE Systems plc, FN Herstal (Herstal Group), General Dynamics Corporation, Heckler & Koch GmbH, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Rheinmetall AG, Saab AB and Thales Group.

Key Questions Answered in This Report

1. How big is the global light weapons market?

2. What is the expected growth rate of the global light weapons market during 2024-2032?

3. What are the key factors driving the global light weapons market?

4. What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global light weapons market?

5. What is the breakup of the global light weapons market based on the technology?

6. What is the breakup of the global light weapons market based on the application?

7. What are the key regions in the global light weapons market?

8. Who are the key players/companies in the global light weapons market?


1 Preface
2 Scope and Methodology
2.1 Objectives of the Study
2.2 Stakeholders
2.3 Data Sources
2.3.1 Primary Sources
2.3.2 Secondary Sources
2.4 Market Estimation
2.4.1 Bottom-Up Approach
2.4.2 Top-Down Approach
2.5 Forecasting Methodology
3 Executive Summary
4 Introduction
4.1 Overview
4.2 Key Industry Trends
5 Global Light Weapons Market
5.1 Market Overview
5.2 Market Performance
5.3 Impact of COVID-19
5.4 Market Forecast
6 Market Breakup by Type
6.1 Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs)
6.1.1 Market Trends
6.1.2 Market Forecast
6.2 Grenades and Grenade Launchers
6.2.1 Market Trends
6.2.2 Market Forecast
6.3 Mortars
6.3.1 Market Trends
6.3.2 Market Forecast
6.4 Man-portable Anti-tank Systems (MANPATS)
6.4.1 Market Trends
6.4.2 Market Forecast
6.5 Man-portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS)
6.5.1 Market Trends
6.5.2 Market Forecast
6.6 Others
6.6.1 Market Trends
6.6.2 Market Forecast
7 Market Breakup by Technology
7.1 Guided
7.1.1 Market Trends
7.1.2 Key Segments
7.1.2.1 Laser Guided
7.1.2.2 Infrared Guided
7.1.2.3 Satellite Guided
7.1.2.4 Semi-automatic Command to Line of Sight
7.1.3 Market Forecast
7.2 Unguided
7.2.1 Market Trends
7.2.2 Market Forecast
8 Market Breakup by Application
8.1 Defense
8.1.1 Market Trends
8.1.2 Market Forecast
8.2 Homeland Security
8.2.1 Market Trends
8.2.2 Market Forecast
9 Market Breakup by Region
9.1 North America
9.1.1 United States
9.1.1.1 Market Trends
9.1.1.2 Market Forecast
9.1.2 Canada
9.1.2.1 Market Trends
9.1.2.2 Market Forecast
9.2 Asia-Pacific
9.2.1 China
9.2.1.1 Market Trends
9.2.1.2 Market Forecast
9.2.2 Japan
9.2.2.1 Market Trends
9.2.2.2 Market Forecast
9.2.3 India
9.2.3.1 Market Trends
9.2.3.2 Market Forecast
9.2.4 South Korea
9.2.4.1 Market Trends
9.2.4.2 Market Forecast
9.2.5 Australia
9.2.5.1 Market Trends
9.2.5.2 Market Forecast
9.2.6 Indonesia
9.2.6.1 Market Trends
9.2.6.2 Market Forecast
9.2.7 Others
9.2.7.1 Market Trends
9.2.7.2 Market Forecast
9.3 Europe
9.3.1 Germany
9.3.1.1 Market Trends
9.3.1.2 Market Forecast
9.3.2 France
9.3.2.1 Market Trends
9.3.2.2 Market Forecast
9.3.3 United Kingdom
9.3.3.1 Market Trends
9.3.3.2 Market Forecast
9.3.4 Italy
9.3.4.1 Market Trends
9.3.4.2 Market Forecast
9.3.5 Spain
9.3.5.1 Market Trends
9.3.5.2 Market Forecast
9.3.6 Russia
9.3.6.1 Market Trends
9.3.6.2 Market Forecast
9.3.7 Others
9.3.7.1 Market Trends
9.3.7.2 Market Forecast
9.4 Latin America
9.4.1 Brazil
9.4.1.1 Market Trends
9.4.1.2 Market Forecast
9.4.2 Mexico
9.4.2.1 Market Trends
9.4.2.2 Market Forecast
9.4.3 Others
9.4.3.1 Market Trends
9.4.3.2 Market Forecast
9.5 Middle East and Africa
9.5.1 Market Trends
9.5.2 Market Breakup by Country
9.5.3 Market Forecast
10 SWOT Analysis
10.1 Overview
10.2 Strengths
10.3 Weaknesses
10.4 Opportunities
10.5 Threats
11 Value Chain Analysis
12 Porters Five Forces Analysis
12.1 Overview
12.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
12.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
12.4 Degree of Competition
12.5 Threat of New Entrants
12.6 Threat of Substitutes
13 Price Analysis
14 Competitive Landscape
14.1 Market Structure
14.2 Key Players
14.3 Profiles of Key Players
14.3.1 BAE Systems plc
14.3.1.1 Company Overview
14.3.1.2 Product Portfolio
14.3.1.3 Financials
14.3.1.4 SWOT Analysis
14.3.2 FN Herstal (Herstal Group)
14.3.2.1 Company Overview
14.3.2.2 Product Portfolio
14.3.3 General Dynamics Corporation
14.3.3.1 Company Overview
14.3.3.2 Product Portfolio
14.3.3.3 Financials
14.3.3.4 SWOT Analysis
14.3.4 Heckler & Koch GmbH
14.3.4.1 Company Overview
14.3.4.2 Product Portfolio
14.3.5 Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
14.3.5.1 Company Overview
14.3.5.2 Product Portfolio
14.3.6 Lockheed Martin Corporation
14.3.6.1 Company Overview
14.3.6.2 Product Portfolio
14.3.6.3 Financials
14.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis
14.3.7 Raytheon Technologies Corporation
14.3.7.1 Company Overview
14.3.7.2 Product Portfolio
14.3.7.3 Financials
14.3.7.4 SWOT Analysis
14.3.8 Rheinmetall AG
14.3.8.1 Company Overview
14.3.8.2 Product Portfolio
14.3.8.3 Financials
14.3.9 Saab AB
14.3.9.1 Company Overview
14.3.9.2 Product Portfolio
14.3.9.3 Financials
14.3.9.4 SWOT Analysis
14.3.10 Thales Group
14.3.10.1 Company Overview
14.3.10.2 Product Portfolio
14.3.10.3 Financials
14.3.10.4 SWOT Analysis

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