Global Man-portable Anti-armor Weapons Market Growth, Share, Size, Trends and Forecast (2024 - 2030)

Man-portable anti-armor weapons play a pivotal role in enhancing the infantry's firepower, providing them with the capability to neutralize heavily armored targets swiftly and effectively on the battlefield. These weapons encompass a diverse range of portable systems, including rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), and shoulder-fired anti-tank weapons, designed to penetrate and disable armored vehicles, fortifications, and bunkers.

As modern conflicts become more asymmetric and urban-centric, there is a growing need for infantry units to have access to highly maneuverable and lethal anti-armor capabilities to counter diverse threats effectively. Consequently, defense agencies are actively investing in the procurement and deployment of advanced man-portable anti-armor weapons to enhance the operational effectiveness of their ground forces.

Technological advancements in missile guidance systems, propulsion technologies, and warhead designs have revolutionized the capabilities of man-portable anti-armor weapons, enabling them to achieve greater accuracy, range, and penetration capabilities against armored targets. The integration of advanced sensors, such as infrared (IR) seekers, laser guidance systems, and electro-optical imagers, has significantly improved the precision and lethality of anti-armor missiles, allowing operators to engage targets with enhanced situational awareness and effectiveness.

The evolving nature of modern warfare, characterized by urban warfare, counterinsurgency operations, and hybrid threats, has underscored the importance of man-portable anti-armor weapons in providing infantry units with a decisive edge on the battlefield. These weapons not only serve as force multipliers but also offer the flexibility and versatility required to engage a wide range of threats, including armored vehicles, fortified positions, and enemy personnel, in diverse operational environments.

Geopolitical tensions, territorial disputes, and the proliferation of asymmetric threats have fueled the demand for man-portable anti-armor weapons among emerging economies and conflict-prone regions, driving market growth. Countries facing security challenges, such as terrorism, insurgency, and border conflicts, are prioritizing the acquisition of advanced anti-armor capabilities to enhance their defensive posture and deter potential adversaries.

Global Man-portable Anti-armor Weapons Segment Analysis

In this report, the Global Man-portable Anti-armor Weapons Market has been segmented by Weapon Systems, Technology, Assembly Type and Geography.

Global Man-portable Anti-armor Weapons Market, Segmentation by Weapon Systems

The Global Man-portable Anti-armor Weapons Market has been segmented by Weapon Systems into Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), and Rocket-Propelled Grenade Launchers.

MANPADS represent a critical category within the market, consisting of portable surface-to-air missile systems designed for infantry use. These systems provide ground forces with the capability to engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), thereby enhancing air defense capabilities at the tactical level. MANPADS typically feature infrared or laser guidance systems, allowing operators to track and engage aerial threats with high accuracy and effectiveness. Due to their lightweight and portable nature, MANPADS are well-suited for rapid deployment and maneuverability, making them valuable assets for protecting ground troops, critical infrastructure, and forward operating bases against airborne threats.

Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) comprise another essential segment of the air data systems market, offering ground forces the capability to engage and destroy armored vehicles, fortified positions, and other high-value targets at extended ranges. These missiles utilize advanced guidance systems, such as wire-guided, laser-guided, or infrared seekers, to precisely track and strike armored threats with high lethality and penetration capabilities. ATGMs are employed by infantry, armored, and mechanized units to neutralize enemy armor and provide fire support during offensive operations. With continuous advancements in missile technology and target acquisition systems, ATGMs are evolving to meet the evolving threats posed by modern armored vehicles, including reactive armor and active protection systems, ensuring their relevance on the contemporary battlefield.

Rocket-Propelled Grenade Launchers (RPGs) constitute another integral segment of the air data systems market, offering infantry units a versatile and cost-effective means of engaging armored vehicles, fortifications, and personnel targets. RPG launchers launch unguided rockets or grenades with high explosive warheads, capable of inflicting significant damage to enemy assets within their effective range. RPGs are prized for their simplicity, reliability, and ease of operation, making them ubiquitous among irregular and conventional forces worldwide. Despite their lack of precision guidance, RPGs remain potent weapons in asymmetric warfare scenarios, where they can be employed to disrupt enemy operations, ambush convoys, and defend urban strongholds.

The segmentation of the Global Air Data Systems Market by Weapon Systems into MANPADS, ATGMs, and RPG Launchers reflects the diverse requirements and operational roles of these systems in modern warfare. As military forces seek to enhance their capabilities for air defense, anti-armor operations, and infantry support, the demand for advanced air data systems across these segments is expected to remain robust, driven by evolving threats, technological advancements, and strategic imperatives shaping defense priorities worldwide.

Global Man-portable Anti-armor Weapons Market, Segmentation by Technology

The Global Man-portable Anti-armor Weapons Market has been segmented by Technology into Guided and Unguided.

Guided air data systems refer to those equipped with advanced guidance mechanisms, which enable precise targeting and tracking of aerial or ground-based targets. These systems utilize sophisticated sensors, navigation systems, and control mechanisms to guide munitions or projectiles towards designated objectives with high accuracy and reliability. Guided air data systems are commonly employed in various military applications, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, where precision strike capabilities are essential for achieving mission objectives while minimizing collateral damage. These systems are often integrated with advanced targeting pods, radar systems, and communication networks to enhance situational awareness and ensure effective engagement of targets in complex operational environments.

Unguided air data systems encompass conventional munitions or projectiles that lack autonomous guidance capabilities and rely on ballistic trajectories for trajectory shaping and target engagement. These systems are typically used for area saturation or suppression missions, where the primary objective is to deliver a high volume of firepower over a wide area to neutralize enemy concentrations or installations. Unguided air data systems are commonly employed in various roles, including close air support, artillery fire support, and anti-personnel or anti-material missions, where the accuracy requirements may be less stringent compared to guided systems. Despite their simplicity, unguided air data systems remain relevant for certain operational scenarios, offering cost-effective solutions for delivering firepower against massed or dispersed targets with significant destructive potential.

The segmentation of the Global Air Data Systems Market into guided and unguided technologies reflects the diverse requirements and operational preferences of military forces worldwide. While guided systems offer enhanced precision and effectiveness for targeted strikes against high-value assets, unguided systems continue to serve as viable options for delivering massed firepower in situations where precision is not a critical factor. As defense agencies continue to prioritize the modernization of their air data capabilities, the market is expected to witness sustained demand for both guided and unguided systems, driven by evolving threats, technological advancements, and operational requirements across various domains of air warfare.

Global Man-portable Anti-armor Weapons Market, Segmentation by Assembly Type

The Global Man-portable Anti-armor Weapons Market has been segmented by Assembly Type into Projectile and Launcher.

This segmentation categorizes man-portable anti-armor weapons based on their structural composition and operational deployment. The Projectile assembly type encompasses the munition or warhead component of the weapon system, designed to penetrate armored targets and inflict damage upon impact. These projectiles can vary in size, shape, and payload, ranging from rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) to anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), each tailored to specific operational requirements and threat scenarios. Projectile-based anti-armor weapons are characterized by their versatility and effectiveness against a wide range of armored vehicles, fortifications, and obstacles encountered on the battlefield. They are often employed by infantry units, special forces, and light armored vehicles to engage enemy targets with precision and lethality, enhancing the operational flexibility and firepower of ground forces in diverse combat environments.

The Launcher assembly type represents the delivery mechanism or platform used to launch and guide the projectile towards its intended target. Launchers come in various forms, including shoulder-fired tubes, tripod-mounted systems, vehicle-mounted launchers, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), each offering unique advantages in terms of mobility, range, and firepower. Launchers play a crucial role in the operational deployment of man-portable anti-armor weapons, providing operators with the means to accurately aim and fire projectiles at enemy targets while minimizing exposure to hostile fire. Advanced launcher systems may incorporate features such as integrated sighting systems, electronic stabilization, and remote firing capabilities, enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of anti-armor engagements in complex battlefield scenarios.

The segmentation of the Global Man-portable Anti-armor Weapons Market by Assembly Type into Projectile and Launcher reflects the dual nature of these weapon systems, which rely on both the projectile's penetrating power and the launcher's delivery mechanism to achieve mission success. By categorizing anti-armor weapons based on their assembly type, defense agencies and industry stakeholders can better understand the operational capabilities, logistical requirements, and technological advancements driving market growth. As military forces continue to prioritize the modernization of their infantry and armored formations, the demand for advanced man-portable anti-armor weapons across both projectile and launcher segments is expected to remain strong, fueled by evolving threat landscapes, doctrinal shifts, and technological innovations shaping the future of ground warfare.

Global Man-portable Anti-armor Weapons Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Global Man-portable Anti-armor Weapons Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.

Global Man-portable Anti-armor Weapons Market Share (%), by Geographical Region, 2023

In North America, including the United States and Canada, the market share for man-portable anti-armor weapons was significant, driven by robust defense budgets, advanced technological capabilities, and ongoing military modernization efforts. The region boasts a strong manufacturing base and a high demand for cutting-edge anti-armor systems to support its expeditionary forces and counter emerging threats in both conventional and asymmetric warfare scenarios.

Europe held a considerable share in the global market, with major defense-spending nations such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Russia investing in the procurement and development of advanced man-portable anti-armor weapons. European countries prioritize enhancing their infantry capabilities and armor-penetration capabilities to counter potential aggression, support NATO operations, and contribute to international peacekeeping missions.

Asia-Pacific emerged as another significant market for man-portable anti-armor weapons, fueled by escalating territorial disputes, regional security tensions, and the modernization efforts of major military powers such as China, India, and South Korea. These countries are investing heavily in enhancing their ground combat capabilities, including the acquisition of advanced anti-armor systems to address evolving threats from neighboring adversaries and ensure territorial defense.

The Middle East and Africa region also demonstrated a notable market share, driven by persistent security challenges, internal conflicts, and the proliferation of non-state armed groups. Nations such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are actively investing in advanced man-portable anti-armor weapons to bolster their defense capabilities, counter asymmetric threats, and maintain regional stability amidst geopolitical uncertainties.

Latin America and the Caribbean exhibited a relatively smaller but still significant market share, with countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia prioritizing the modernization of their armed forces and the enhancement of their counterinsurgency and border security capabilities.