According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Weapons and Ammunition Market is accounted for $69.3 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $122.7 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 8.5% during the forecast period. Weapons are tools or devices designed to inflict harm, damage, or incapacitate targets, encompassing firearms, knives, explosives, and more. Ammunition refers to the materials used in weapons to deliver force or damage, including bullets, shells, gunpowder, and missiles. Together, weapons and ammunition serve military, law enforcement, and personal defense purposes, playing critical roles in combat and security operations. Their regulation is vital to ensure safety and control, minimizing misuse and preventing violence while balancing the need for defense and lawful use.
Market Dynamics:
Driver:
Rising defense budgets
Rising defense budgets globally are significantly impacting the market, driving increased demand for advanced military technologies and armaments. Governments are allocating more funds to modernize their armed forces, enhance national security, and respond to geopolitical tensions. This surge in defense spending fuels innovation, production, and procurement of sophisticated weapons systems and ammunition, boosting market growth and attracting investment from defense contractors and manufacturers worldwide.
Restraint:
Arms control treaties and international sanctions
Arms control treaties and international sanctions negatively impact the market by restricting the production, sale, and transfer of military equipment. These regulations limit market expansion, disrupt supply chains, and hinder technological advancements. Manufacturers face reduced access to global markets, affecting revenue and innovation. Additionally, sanctions can stall defense projects and weaken military capabilities, creating challenges for countries reliant on advanced weaponry for national security.
Opportunity:
Modernization of military capabilities
The modernization of military capabilities is reshaping the market, emphasizing advanced technologies and enhanced combat efficiency. Militaries worldwide are upgrading their arsenals with precision-guided munitions, smart weapons, and automated systems to address evolving threats. This shift drives innovation and investment in cutting-edge ammunition and weapon systems, ensuring armed forces maintain technological superiority and operational readiness in complex and rapidly changing security environments.
Threat:
Civilian disarmament initiatives
Civilian disarmament initiatives negatively impact the market by reducing demand for firearms and related products among civilian populations. These efforts, aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing gun violence, lead to decreased sales and manufacturing activity. As a result, companies face revenue losses and may scale back production or innovation. The market contraction affects employment and investment, challenging industry growth and technological advancement.
Covid-19 Impact:
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the market by causing supply chain interruptions, production delays, and reduced workforce availability. Lockdowns and restrictions hindered manufacturing and global trade, slowing defense procurement processes. However, the crisis also underscored the importance of national security, prompting some governments to maintain or increase defense spending, partially offsetting market setbacks and ensuring continued demand for advanced weapons and ammunition systems.
The armor-piercing rounds segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period
The armor-piercing rounds segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period. These specialized munitions are vital for military operations, enabling forces to counter heavily armored vehicles and fortified positions. Technological advancements in materials and design improve their performance, driving innovation and demand. As defense strategies evolve, the market for armor-piercing rounds continues to expand, reflecting their importance in modern combat scenarios.
The defense and security segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period
Over the forecast period, the defense and security segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate. Governments prioritize strengthening national defense capabilities to address emerging threats and maintain geopolitical stability. This focus accelerates investment in cutting-edge technologies, precision weapons, and specialized ammunition. As security challenges evolve, the market expands, fostering innovation and enhancing military readiness, ensuring armed forces are equipped to safeguard national interests effectively.
Region with largest share:
During the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is expected to hold the largest market share driven by rising defense budgets and geopolitical tensions. Countries like China, India, and Japan are investing in modernizing their military capabilities, boosting demand for advanced weapons and ammunition. The region's defense industry benefits from increased government spending, technological advancements, and domestic manufacturing, positioning Asia Pacific as a key player in the market.
Region with highest CAGR:
Over the forecast period, the North America region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR driven by robust demand from military, law enforcement, and civilian consumers. The United States, in particular, dominates this market, fueled by a strong culture of firearm ownership, stringent defense budgets, and ongoing modernization of military equipment. Canada and Mexico also contribute, though on a smaller scale. The market encompasses small arms, tactical weapons, ammunition, and accessories, with technological advancements enhancing precision, safety, and performance. Civilian demand remains high due to recreational shooting, hunting, and personal defense needs.
Key players in the market
Some of the key players in Weapons and Ammunition Market include Lockheed Martin, Sturm, Ruger & Co., Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Thales Group, Rheinmetall AG, L3Harris Technologies, Leonardo S.p.A., Smith & Wesson, Beretta Holding, Heckler & Koch, Springfield Armory, Remington Arms and Raytheon Technologies.
Key Developments:
In March 2025, Lockheed Martin has unveiled a new unnamed weapon in a short video, describing it as modular, lethal and affordable. The dimensions of the weapon are difficult to judge, as Lockheed Martin put the weapon on a dark background without objects which could be used as a reference for the dimensions.
In January 2024, BAE Systems received the initial contract for M109A7 production in 2017 with the most recent order bringing the total contract value to US$2.5 billion. BAE Systems has received an order to produce as many as 40 M109A7 self-propelled howitzers and M992A3 ammunition carriers under a new contract from the US Army. The contract was worth US$418 million and has extended the period of performance with vehicle deliveries through 2025.
Weapon Types Covered:
• Firearms
• Edged Weapons
• Non-Lethal Weapons
• Explosives
• Other Weapon Types
Ammunition Types Covered:
• Conventional Rounds
• Armor-Piercing Rounds
• Tracer Rounds
• Incendiary Rounds
• Non-lethal Ammunition
• Other Ammunition Types
Distribution Channels Covered:
• Direct Sales
• Retail Outlets
• Online Sales Platforms
Applications Covered:
• Armored Units
• Naval Forces
• Regular Police Forces
• Corrections Officers
• Recreational Shooting
• Other Applications
End Users Covered:
• Defense and Security
• Hunting and Sporting
• Law Enforcement
• Personal Protection
• Training and Simulation
• Other End Users
Regions Covered:
• North America
US
Canada
Mexico
• Europe
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Spain
Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
Japan
China
India
Australia
New Zealand
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa
What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2032
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements
- 1 Executive Summary
- 2 Preface
- 2.1 Abstract
- 2.2 Stake Holders
- 2.3 Research Scope
- 2.4 Research Methodology
- 2.4.1 Data Mining
- 2.4.2 Data Analysis
- 2.4.3 Data Validation
- 2.4.4 Research Approach
- 2.5 Research Sources
- 2.5.1 Primary Research Sources
- 2.5.2 Secondary Research Sources
- 2.5.3 Assumptions
- 3 Market Trend Analysis
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Drivers
- 3.3 Restraints
- 3.4 Opportunities
- 3.5 Threats
- 3.6 Application Analysis
- 3.7 End User Analysis
- 3.8 Emerging Markets
- 3.9 Impact of Covid-19
- 4 Porters Five Force Analysis
- 4.1 Bargaining power of suppliers
- 4.2 Bargaining power of buyers
- 4.3 Threat of substitutes
- 4.4 Threat of new entrants
- 4.5 Competitive rivalry
- 5 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market, By Weapon Type
- 5.1 Introduction
- 5.2 Firearms
- 5.2.1 Handguns
- 5.2.2 Rifles
- 5.2.3 Shotguns
- 5.2.4 Submachine Guns
- 5.3 Edged Weapons
- 5.3.1 Knives
- 5.3.2 Swords
- 5.3.3 Bayonets
- 5.4 Non-Lethal Weapons
- 5.4.1 Tasers
- 5.4.2 Pepper Spray
- 5.4.3 Rubber Bullets
- 5.5 Explosives
- 5.5.1 Grenades
- 5.5.2 Bombs
- 5.5.3 Mines
- 5.6 Other Weapon Types
- 6 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market, By Ammunition Type
- 6.1 Introduction
- 6.2 Conventional Rounds
- 6.3 Armor-Piercing Rounds
- 6.4 Tracer Rounds
- 6.5 Incendiary Rounds
- 6.6 Non-lethal Ammunition
- 6.7 Other Ammunition Types
- 7 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market, By Distribution Channel
- 7.1 Introduction
- 7.2 Direct Sales
- 7.3 Retail Outlets
- 7.4 Online Sales Platforms
- 8 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market, By Application
- 8.1 Introduction
- 8.2 Armored Units
- 8.3 Naval Forces
- 8.4 Regular Police Forces
- 8.5 Corrections Officers
- 8.6 Recreational Shooting
- 8.7 Other Applications
- 9 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market, By End User
- 9.1 Introduction
- 9.2 Defense and Security
- 9.3 Hunting and Sporting
- 9.4 Law Enforcement
- 9.5 Personal Protection
- 9.6 Training and Simulation
- 9.7 Other End Users
- 10 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market, By Geography
- 10.1 Introduction
- 10.2 North America
- 10.2.1 US
- 10.2.2 Canada
- 10.2.3 Mexico
- 10.3 Europe
- 10.3.1 Germany
- 10.3.2 UK
- 10.3.3 Italy
- 10.3.4 France
- 10.3.5 Spain
- 10.3.6 Rest of Europe
- 10.4 Asia Pacific
- 10.4.1 Japan
- 10.4.2 China
- 10.4.3 India
- 10.4.4 Australia
- 10.4.5 New Zealand
- 10.4.6 South Korea
- 10.4.7 Rest of Asia Pacific
- 10.5 South America
- 10.5.1 Argentina
- 10.5.2 Brazil
- 10.5.3 Chile
- 10.5.4 Rest of South America
- 10.6 Middle East & Africa
- 10.6.1 Saudi Arabia
- 10.6.2 UAE
- 10.6.3 Qatar
- 10.6.4 South Africa
- 10.6.5 Rest of Middle East & Africa
- 11 Key Developments
- 11.1 Agreements, Partnerships, Collaborations and Joint Ventures
- 11.2 Acquisitions & Mergers
- 11.3 New Product Launch
- 11.4 Expansions
- 11.5 Other Key Strategies
- 12 Company Profiling
- 12.1 Lockheed Martin
- 12.2 Sturm, Ruger & Co.
- 12.3 Northrop Grumman Corporation
- 12.4 BAE Systems
- 12.5 General Dynamics
- 12.6 Thales Group
- 12.7 Rheinmetall AG
- 12.8 L3Harris Technologies
- 12.9 Leonardo S.p.A.
- 12.10 Smith & Wesson
- 12.11 Beretta Holding
- 12.12 Heckler & Koch
- 12.13 Springfield Armory
- 12.14 Remington Arms
- 12.15 Raytheon Technologies
- List of Tables
- Table 1 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Region (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 2 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Weapon Type (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 3 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Firearms (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 4 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Handguns (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 5 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Rifles (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 6 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Shotguns (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 7 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Submachine Guns (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 8 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Edged Weapons (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 9 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Knives (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 10 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Swords (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 11 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Bayonets (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 12 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Non-Lethal Weapons (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 13 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Tasers (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 14 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Pepper Spray (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 15 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Rubber Bullets (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 16 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Explosives (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 17 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Grenades (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 18 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Bombs (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 19 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Mines (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 20 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Other Weapon Types (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 21 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Ammunition Type (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 22 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Conventional Rounds (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 23 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Armor-Piercing Rounds (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 24 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Tracer Rounds (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 25 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Incendiary Rounds (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 26 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Non-lethal Ammunition (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 27 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Other Ammunition Types (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 28 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Distribution Channel (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 29 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Direct Sales (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 30 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Retail Outlets (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 31 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Online Sales Platforms (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 32 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Application (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 33 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Armored Units (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 34 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Naval Forces (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 35 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Regular Police Forces (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 36 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Corrections Officers (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 37 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Recreational Shooting (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 38 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Other Applications (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 39 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By End User (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 40 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Defense and Security (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 41 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Hunting and Sporting (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 42 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Law Enforcement (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 43 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Personal Protection (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 44 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Training and Simulation (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Table 45 Global Weapons and Ammunition Market Outlook, By Other End Users (2024-2032) ($MN)
- Note: Tables for North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East & Africa Regions are also represented in the same manner as above.
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