• In April 2025, the Philippines acquired a second BrahMos battery from India, significantly boosting its mobile anti-ship and land-attack missile defense capability.

• In February 2025, Lockheed Martin clinched a 139 million contract with the U.S. Army to supply advanced Stinger fuse and warhead assemblies for delivery.

In this report, the Shoulder-fired Weapons Market, has been Segmented by Technology, Range, Assembly Type, Application, and Geography.

Shoulder-fired Weapons Market, Segmentation by Technology

The Shoulder-fired Weapons Market, has been Segmented by Technology into Guided and Unguided.

Guided
Guided shoulder-fired weapons incorporate sophisticated targeting technologies, significantly improving accuracy and mission success rates. Their ability to precisely engage dynamic or shielded threats makes them essential for modern combat scenarios. Currently, guided systems dominate the market with an estimated 60% share, driven by innovation in defense technology and growing demand for high-precision weaponry.

Unguided
Unguided shoulder-fired weapons are manually aimed and lack onboard guidance systems, which keeps their cost low and usability high for basic operational needs. These weapons are extensively deployed in low-intensity conflicts and remain a preferred choice in budget-constrained military forces. The unguided segment maintains a robust 40% market share due to its affordability and tactical utility.

Shoulder-fired Weapons Market, Segmentation by Range

The Shoulder-fired Weapons Market, has been Segmented by Range into Short, Medium, and Long.

Short Range
Short-range shoulder-fired weapons are tailored for close-quarters engagements, especially in urban or confined environments. Their lightweight design and ease of use make them highly effective in fast-moving tactical scenarios. Representing about 35% of the market, their adoption is driven by the demand for agile and rapid-response firepower.

Medium Range
Medium-range systems offer an effective middle ground between reach and portability, allowing forces to engage threats at moderate distances with reliable precision. These systems are widely used due to their operational flexibility and account for approximately 40% of the market, making them the most prominent range category.

Long Range
Long-range shoulder-fired weapons are suited for distant target engagements, often featuring advanced propulsion and guidance systems to ensure accuracy. Essential in roles such as anti-armor and anti-air operations, these systems make up roughly 25% of the market and are gaining traction due to evolving battlefield requirements for extended reach.

Shoulder-fired Weapons Market, Segmentation by Assembly Type

The Shoulder-fired Weapons Market ,Segmented by Assembly Type into Projectile and Launcher.

Projectile
Projectile systems form the core munitions of shoulder-fired weapons, including the warheads and rockets responsible for delivering the impact. These components are engineered for high lethality and are often designed as disposable units. Representing around 55% of the market, this segment benefits from ongoing improvements in explosive technology and precision delivery.

Launcher
Launchers act as the delivery mechanism for projectiles, offering structural support, aiming, and firing capabilities. Many are built for multiple uses and incorporate features like recoil reduction and digital targeting. Accounting for roughly 45% of the market, launcher systems are gaining momentum due to advancements in ergonomic design and operational reliability.

Shoulder-fired Weapons Market, Segmentation by Application

The Shoulder-fired Weapons Market ,Segmented by Application into Defense, Home Security, and Others.

Defense
In the defense sector, shoulder-fired weapons are extensively deployed for their versatility and effectiveness in battlefield operations. Used in roles such as anti-tank, anti-aircraft, and tactical support, they are essential to modern infantry forces. This application leads the market with over 70% share, driven by rising defense budgets and strategic procurement initiatives.

Home Security
Shoulder-fired weapons are rarely used for home security due to strict legal frameworks and the inherent risks involved. In select conflict zones or special civilian defense contexts, their deployment may be permitted under regulation. This segment accounts for a minimal 10% of the market and is largely restricted in scope.

Others
The ‘Others’ segment comprises applications like training, law enforcement drills, and R&D purposes. These involve both live and simulated systems designed for non-lethal or preparatory use. With growing emphasis on tactical readiness and technology development, this segment holds around 20% of the total market.

Shoulder-fired Weapons Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Shoulder-fired Weapons Market, has been Segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.

Shoulder-fired Weapons Market Share (%), by Geographical Region

North America
North America commands a dominant position in the shoulder-fired weapons market, led by large-scale military investments and advanced defense infrastructure. The region, especially the U.S., contributes about 35% of total market revenue, benefiting from consistent procurement programs and R&D initiatives.

Europe
Europe's market share is reinforced by enhanced defense strategies, border security concerns, and multinational military cooperation. Holding roughly 25% of the global share, key nations such as the UK, Germany, and France are at the forefront of regional growth.

Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific is emerging as a fast-growing region, backed by rising military expenditures and border tensions across key nations. With about 20% market share, countries like China, India, and South Korea are significantly boosting regional adoption of shoulder-fired weapons.

Middle East and Africa
The Middle East and Africa region reflects a growing focus on strengthening security and tactical capabilities. Comprising nearly 10% of the market, this region shows stable demand, particularly from oil-rich Gulf states and nations with active conflict zones.

Latin America
In Latin America, adoption is relatively moderate but consistent, supported by selective modernization of armed forces. The region accounts for around 10% of the market, with Brazil and Colombia being notable contributors.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Shoulder-fired Weapons Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis.

Drivers, Restraints and Opportunity Analysis

Drivers

• Increasing asymmetric warfare scenarios
• Modernization of infantry weapon systems
• Rising demand for portable anti-armor solutions

• Expanding defense budgets in emerging nations - A significantly boosting the demand for advanced and mobile weaponry, including shoulder-fired weapons. Countries in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa are allocating larger portions of their budgets to modernize infantry units and strengthen ground forces. These nations are investing in portable, cost-effective, and multi-role combat solutions that are adaptable across diverse operational environments.

  Shoulder-fired weapons provide flexibility, ease of deployment, and rapid response capability—key attributes valued in modern asymmetric and urban warfare scenarios. As many emerging economies seek to enhance their border defense and counterinsurgency capabilities, the procurement of man-portable anti-tank and air defense systems is steadily rising. These trends are supported by broader military infrastructure upgrades and expanded defense partnerships with global arms suppliers.

  Strategic collaborations, defense offset agreements, and technology transfers are further encouraging the local production of lightweight and lethal shoulder-launched munitions. As a result, domestic defense industries in developing regions are also witnessing growth, which in turn accelerates procurement cycles and increases product accessibility.

  Given the current global security dynamics, defense spending in emerging countries is expected to remain robust. This sustained expenditure creates favorable conditions for continued adoption of next-generation shoulder-fired weapon systems tailored to regional threats and tactical doctrines.

Restraints

• Stringent Export Controls
• High Development Costs
• Risk of Misuse and Proliferation

• Competition from Other Weapon Systems - A key restraint in the growth of the shoulder-fired weapons market. With the rapid advancement of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), precision-guided missiles, and long-range artillery, many armed forces are diversifying their tactical preferences. These alternatives offer extended range, higher payloads, and precision targeting capabilities that shoulder-fired systems often lack.

  In certain mission types, the effectiveness of shoulder-fired munitions is limited by operator skill, environmental constraints, and shorter operational range. This makes them less appealing for large-scale, high-intensity combat scenarios, where more robust weapon platforms are preferred. Moreover, as military doctrines evolve, emphasis is increasingly placed on network-centric warfare and integrated firepower, which may reduce reliance on individual soldier-fired solutions.

  Another challenge is the rising use of multi-role and vehicle-mounted systems that offer superior survivability and engagement scope. As defense forces adopt platform-based combat strategies, investments in standalone, man-portable systems may face scrutiny from budget-conscious policymakers.

  To address these issues, manufacturers must focus on enhancing the range, accuracy, and smart targeting capabilities of shoulder-fired weapons. Integrating advanced optics and AI-supported fire-control systems could help reposition these systems as competitive assets within modern battlefield frameworks.

Opportunities

• Growing Demand for Lightweight and Portable Systems
• Integration of Smart Technologies
• Focus on Urban Warfare

• Rising Investments in Counter-Drone Technologies - The rise of counter-drone technologies is opening new opportunities for the shoulder-fired weapons market. With the growing threat posed by hostile unmanned aerial systems, armed forces are investing in portable systems capable of intercepting or neutralizing drones. Shoulder-fired solutions with anti-air capabilities are gaining traction as effective deterrents in both battlefield and perimeter defense scenarios.

  Modern shoulder-fired systems are being developed with modular payloads and radar-guided warheads that enhance target tracking and interception accuracy. These adaptations are crucial for addressing the evolving threat landscape posed by low-cost, agile drone swarms and reconnaissance UAVs. Additionally, their portability makes them highly suitable for rapid deployment in forward positions or contested zones.

  Increased funding for drone defense, particularly in urban and border zones, is driving the integration of counter-UAV features into man-portable weapon platforms. These systems allow ground forces to defend against aerial threats without depending solely on large-scale, centralized air defense networks.

  As drone warfare becomes more widespread, the demand for versatile, dual-role shoulder-fired weapons is expected to grow. Vendors that focus on innovation in anti-drone munitions and targeting systems will be well-positioned to capitalize on this expanding segment.

Key players in Shoulder-fired Weapons Market include

• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• RTX Corporation (Raytheon Technologies)
• BAE Systems plc
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Saab AB
• MBDA Holdings
• General Dynamics Corporation
• Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd.
• Denel SOC Ltd.
• Nammo AS
• Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd.
• Rheinmetall AG
• Bharat Dynamics Limited
• Roketsan

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