• In May 2022, French aerospace firm Daher invested €7.5 million to establish a cutting‑edge center for composite materials, aiming to develop lighter and stronger solutions tailored for defense aircraft components and boost innovation in military-grade airframes.

• In 2024, the U.S. government rolled out grants and tax incentives to support domestic production of rare‑earth magnets—crucial for jet fighters, missiles, drones, and submarines—at facilities like MP Materials and Noveon Magnetics, aiming to secure defense supply chains.

In this report, the Defense Aircraft Materials Market has been segmented by Aircraft Type, Material Type, Product Type, Application Area, and Geography.

Defense Aircraft Materials Market, Segmentation by Aircraft Type

The Defense Aircraft Materials Market has been segmented by Aircraft Type into Combat and Non-combat.

Combat

The combat segment dominates the defense aircraft materials market, accounting for approximately 65% of total market share. Combat aircraft, including fighter jets, attack helicopters, and stealth bombers, require advanced lightweight materials and high-performance composites to enhance maneuverability, speed, and stealth characteristics. Increasing global investments in fifth-generation fighter programs, next-generation combat aircraft, and air superiority platforms are driving strong demand for advanced metal alloys, carbon composites, and ceramic matrix composites within this segment.

Non-combat

The non-combat segment holds about 35% of the defense aircraft materials market. Non-combat aircraft, including transport aircraft, surveillance platforms, refueling tankers, and training aircraft, demand durable, corrosion-resistant, and lightweight materials to optimize payload capacity and fuel efficiency. Growing focus on military airlift capabilities, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, and multi-role transport platforms is driving steady demand for innovative aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, and advanced composite materials in this segment.

Defense Aircraft Materials Market, Segmentation by Material Type

The Defense Aircraft Materials Market has been segmented by Material Type into Aluminum Alloys, Steel, Titanium Alloys and Composites.

Aluminum Alloys

The aluminum alloys segment holds approximately 35% of the defense aircraft materials market. Aluminum alloys are widely used in aircraft structures due to their excellent strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and fabrication flexibility. They are extensively applied in the construction of airframes, fuselage panels, and wing structures of both combat and non-combat aircraft. The continuous demand for cost-effective lightweight materials and high-performance aluminum alloys supports strong market growth in this segment.

Steel

The steel segment contributes about 15% to the defense aircraft materials market. Steel is valued for its superior structural strength, durability, and impact resistance, making it suitable for critical aircraft components such as landing gear assemblies, engine mounts, and armor plating. The ongoing focus on enhancing aircraft survivability and ensuring operational safety in extreme environments continues to drive demand for advanced high-strength steel alloys in defense aircraft manufacturing.

Titanium Alloys

The titanium alloys segment holds around 20% of the defense aircraft materials market. Titanium alloys offer an exceptional combination of lightweight properties, high strength, and corrosion resistance, making them ideal for aircraft engine components, airframe structures, and critical load-bearing parts. Growing demand for stealth aircraft and supersonic platforms is fueling the use of advanced titanium alloys to meet stringent performance and thermal resistance requirements.

Composites

The composites segment dominates the defense aircraft materials market, accounting for approximately 30% of total market share. Composites, including carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP), glass fiber composites, and ceramic matrix composites, are increasingly used in next-generation combat aircraft for their lightweight characteristics, high strength, and stealth properties. The growing demand for fuel-efficient and low-observable aircraft is driving extensive adoption of advanced composite materials across both airframes and engine systems.

Defense Aircraft Materials Market, Segmentation by Product Type

The Defense Aircraft Materials Market has been segmented by Product Type into Raw Materials and Processed Materials.

Raw Materials

The raw materials segment holds approximately 55% of the defense aircraft materials market. This segment includes primary metal ingots, composite fibers, resins, and ceramic powders used in the production of various aircraft components. Growing demand for high-performance raw materials that meet stringent aerospace quality standards is driving significant investment in advanced aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, and carbon fiber materials. Continuous innovations in material science and the rising adoption of lightweight raw materials are further boosting growth in this segment.

Processed Materials

The processed materials segment contributes about 45% to the defense aircraft materials market. This segment includes pre-fabricated composite laminates, machined metal components, advanced coatings, and integrated structural assemblies used in both combat and non-combat aircraft. The increasing demand for ready-to-install components and value-added materials is driving market growth. OEMs and tier-1 suppliers are increasingly focusing on process optimization and material integration to enhance manufacturing efficiency and aircraft performance.

Defense Aircraft Materials Market, Segmentation by Application Area

The Defense Aircraft Materials Market has been segmented by Application Area into Structural Components and Engine Components.

Structural Components

The structural components segment dominates the defense aircraft materials market, accounting for approximately 65% of total market share. Structural components include critical airframe parts such as fuselages, wings, empennage, and landing gear assemblies. These components demand lightweight, high-strength materials like aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, and advanced composites to ensure aircraft performance, maneuverability, and fuel efficiency. Increasing production of next-generation combat aircraft and stealth platforms is driving robust demand for innovative structural materials in this segment.

Engine Components

The engine components segment holds about 35% of the defense aircraft materials market. Engine components include turbine blades, combustion chambers, nozzles, and exhaust systems, which operate under extreme thermal and mechanical stress. This segment demands advanced titanium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, and ceramic matrix composites to enhance engine efficiency, durability, and heat resistance. Growing focus on developing fuel-efficient and high-thrust engines for modern fighter jets and multi-role aircraft is propelling market growth in this segment.

Defense Aircraft Materials Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Defense Aircraft Materials Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.

Defense Aircraft Materials Market Share (%), by Geographical Region

North America

North America leads the defense aircraft materials market, contributing approximately 40% of total market share. The region’s dominance is driven by significant investments in advanced military aircraft programs such as fifth-generation fighter jets, stealth bombers, and air mobility platforms. The presence of leading aircraft OEMs and strong demand for lightweight composite materials, high-performance alloys, and stealth coatings further supports market growth in North America.

Europe

Europe holds around 20% share of the defense aircraft materials market. The region is a key hub for multi-national defense programs and collaborative aircraft development initiatives. European nations are investing in next-generation combat aircraft and air mobility platforms that demand innovative composite structures and high-strength titanium alloys. The growing emphasis on reducing aircraft weight and enhancing fuel efficiency is fueling demand for advanced aircraft materials in this region.

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific accounts for approximately 25% of the defense aircraft materials market and is expected to witness robust growth. The region’s rapid expansion of air force modernization programs and increased investments in indigenous aircraft manufacturing are driving demand for advanced composite materials and high-performance alloys. Countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea are accelerating their procurement of modern fighter jets and transport aircraft, boosting the region’s market growth.

Middle East and Africa

The Middle East and Africa region contributes about 10% to the defense aircraft materials market. Middle Eastern countries are heavily investing in advanced air combat capabilities and air defense modernization, driving demand for lightweight and high-durability aircraft materials. In Africa, emerging investments in air mobility platforms and training aircraft are gradually expanding the demand for cost-effective aircraft materials tailored to regional defense requirements.

Latin America

Latin America holds about 5% share of the defense aircraft materials market. While demand is relatively modest, several countries in the region are focusing on air fleet modernization and acquiring multi-role aircraft that require advanced lightweight composites and corrosion-resistant alloys. The ongoing need to enhance regional air defense capabilities and improve mission readiness is driving incremental growth opportunities in Latin America’s defense aircraft materials market.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Defense Aircraft Materials Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis.

Drivers, Restraints and Opportunity Analysis

Drivers

• Demand for Stealth Technology
• Growth in Military Aircraft Procurement
• Focus on Fuel Efficiency and Sustainability

• Expansion of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) - The escalating use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) is reshaping material demand across defense aviation. Drones assigned to surveillance, strike, and electronic missions must fly farther, carry heavier sensors, and avoid radar—requirements that favor lightweight composites and radar-absorbing skins over traditional metals.

  From palm-sized quadcopters to jet-powered HALE platforms, each UAS class needs a tailored blend of high-strength fibers, advanced alloys, and thermal-resistant resins that keep airframes stiff yet feather-light. This diversity broadens the addressable market for specialty material suppliers serving both prime contractors and fast-growing drone startups.

  As procurement ramps up, militaries are standardizing material specifications to speed production and simplify maintenance. Vendors capable of delivering consistent quality at scale—while also meeting export-control and ITAR rules—gain a decisive edge.

  The persistent rise of drone fleets therefore fuels a long-term pull for innovative defense-grade materials, anchoring UAS expansion as a primary growth engine for the sector.

Restraints

• Stringent Regulatory Standards
• Limited Access to Advanced Materials
• Cost Constraints and Budgetary Pressures

• Technological Complexity and Integration Challenges - Introducing next-generation airframe materials into combat aircraft is slowed by technological complexity and integration hurdles. Every new fiber weave, alloy, or coating must satisfy tight structural, thermal, and electromagnetic limits, adding layers of testing and certification that stretch program timelines.

  Blending composites with legacy metallic structures can trigger mismatched thermal expansion, galvanic corrosion, or signal distortion—all problems that require costly redesign or custom fasteners. Such challenges multiply when avionics, antennas, and stealth treatments are embedded within the same skin.

  Even minor property variances can alter radar cross-section or fatigue life, forcing extensive simulation and flight validation. The result is higher non-recurring engineering costs and longer payback periods, which deter some airframe primes from rapid material adoption.

  Until certification pipelines become more agile or unified design standards emerge, these integration complexities will continue to cap the speed at which advanced materials penetrate defense aircraft programs.

Opportunities

• Advancements in Additive Manufacturing
• Development of Hypersonic Technologies

• Integration of Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems - The push to embed sophisticated electronic warfare (EW) systems in modern fighters, bombers, and drones is opening fresh demand for materials that manage high-frequency energy without sacrificing stealth or structural strength.

  High-power jammers and directed-energy payloads generate intense heat and electromagnetic fields, spurring interest in conductive polymers, hybrid laminates, and RF-absorbing composites that can channel heat, shield delicate avionics, and dampen stray emissions.

  Materials capable of tuning dielectric properties or redirecting RF waves help aircraft blend EW performance with low observability—a dual mandate in contested airspace. Suppliers offering multi-functional skins that combine load bearing, thermal control, and signal management stand to secure premium contracts.

  As defense budgets prioritize EW readiness, the need for adaptable, electronics-friendly materials will expand across fighters, support aircraft, and UAS fleets, creating a sustained opportunity for innovators in advanced defense composites.

Key players in Defense Aircraft Materials Market include:

• AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
• Solvay S.A.
• Constellium SE
• Hexcel Corporation
• Toray Industries, Inc.
• Allegheny Technologies (ATI)
• Arconic Corporation
• DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
• Henkel
• Mishra Dhatu Nigam (MIDHANI)
• Precision Castparts Corp.
• 3M
• SGL Carbon

In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:

• Company Overview and Product Portfolio
• Market Share Analysis
• Key Developments
• Financial Overview
• Strategies
• Company SWOT Analysis