Automatic Weapons Market Size Growth - By Product (Automatic Rifle, Machine Gun, Automatic Launchers, Automatic Cannon, Gatling Gun), By Type (Fully Automatic, Semi-automatic), By Caliber (Small Caliber, Medium Caliber, Large Caliber), By End-user (Land, Maritime, Airborne), and By Region: Statistics Reports, Supply & Demand Analysis, Global Opportunity 2025-2032

Global Market Synopsis, Forecast, Trend, and Growth Up To 2032

The Automatic Weapons Market size was valued at US$ 10.22 Bn in 2025, it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.44% from 2025 to 2032 and reach US$ 16.46 Bn by the end of 2032. An increase in the threat of the security concerned market would be one of the key growth drivers for the automatic weapons industry.

Market Overview

Automatic weapons are so structured that they will continue to fire if the trigger is pressed. They are not semi-automatic guns. Since they do repeatedly fire, they are extensively used by the law enforcing agencies and military. Some examples of such weapons include machine guns, submachine guns, and assault rifles. In order to prevent its misuse and crime lots of countries have strictly regulated the use and possession of automatic weapons.

Role of AI in the Automated Weapons Industry

The system functionalities emanate from its ability to tap into the role that some algorithms in machine learning can fulfil the role of processing large volumes of data for results that then form the basis of any decision-making process.

To add further support for these technologies, infrared and electro-optical sensor systems are highly efficient and play a key role in detecting and identifying targets. Besides, the automatic weapons are already booming investments in developed nations such as the U.S. and China. Nevertheless, the system does come with various legal, ethical, and operational challenges that must be put forward.

• July 2024 - AI Turing Technologies, an anti-drone technology and defense training solutions partner of Zen Technologies, launched the AI-enabled robot Prahasta and several other products for global defense applications. Prahasta is an autonomous quadruped that uses LiDAR and reinforcement learning to comprehend and generate real-time 3D terrain mapping that is unparalleled in terms of mission planning, navigation, and threat assessment.

Automatic Weapons Market Growth Factors

• Increasing demand of military modernization programs worldwide will propel automatic weapons market growth shortly.
• Developments in material science and designs can boost the automatic weapons market in the coming years.
• Growing security concerns worldwide will further accelerate the growth of the automatic weapons market.

Top Key Players

Some of the major players functioning in the automatic weapons industry include:

• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Heckler & Koch
• FN Herstal
• Kalashnikov Concern
• Barrett Firearms Manufacturing
• Beretta
• shephardmedia
• Colt’s Manufacturing Company
• SIG Sauer
• Browning Arms Company
• Smith & Wesson
• Israel Weapon Industries

Segment Analysis

Product Segment

Automatic rifles had a tight grip over the market of automatic weapons in 2024. The growth of the segment has been because of the demand for completely automatic rifles by special forces, which is increasingly on the rise. Such will be especially from Asian countries. Automatic rifles have also witnessed massive development recently. But future developments in automatic rifles are expected to endanger society and attract social implications.

The machine gun segment is anticipated to expand at the fastest rate in the automatic weapons market based on the growth rate over the given forecast period. Machine guns are designed with the capability to withstand sustained fire. The replacement of traditional machine guns with light ones would also accelerate the growth of this market further. Machine guns possess numerous benefits such as rapid engagement of multiple targets and further elucidation of enemy positions.

The market for global automatic weapons was dominated by the semi-automatic segment in 2023. The developing nations like India, Pakistan, Ukraine, and Syria will add another link with their semi-automatic weapon systems to that of rising demand in this regard to meet regional tension. Advancements in the field of material science and manufacturing techniques may boost the growth of the market in the near future.

Fully automatic holds the highest growth rate in the market for automatic weapons during the forecast period. This is because of the easy accessibility of such weapons during the time of war operations. In addition, the increasing instances of terrorism and demand for accuracy-based weapon systems are contributing to market growth.

Caliber Segment

The small caliber segment held the largest share of the automatic weapons market in 2024. This is due to the improved performance, the lethality of small-caliber assault rifles and penetration range during war operations. Moreover, small caliber weapons are easy to handle and convenient to use, which can lead to market growth shortly.Further growth in the automatic weapons industry will drive growth in the segment.

Land Segment

The land segment stood first in the market share of automatic weapons in 2024. The growth of this segment is due to the increased expansion of military forces globally and the increasing weapons acquisition by land-based forces. The increasing governmental focus on close combat systems fuels the growth of the segment.

Growth in the airborne segment of the automatic weapons market is expected at a high rate over the projected period. Drivers for the growth include increasing replacements of traditional systems with innovative combat systems in support aircraft of combat and fighters, in addition to helicopters. Increasing demand for GPS-guided weapons operating fast, regardless of bad weather, also promotes the expansion of the market.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Driver

Rising cross-border conflicts

Increasing cross-border conflicts worldwide create the demand for automatic weapons, and thus drives the automatic weapons market further. Border disputes have increased multifold in many countries over the last several decades.

Border disputes between Venezuela and Colombia, China and India, India and Pakistan, and Iraq and Syria are some of the prominent current ones worldwide. In addition, technological advancements in automated weapon systems such as armed robots and laser weapons would propel the market further ahead in the future.

Restraint

Deterrent government policies

At times, such regulations can prove quite costly and challenging for corporations to sell automatic weapons that can then limit the number of potential clients in the automatic weapons market. Many countries have strict policies relating to the authority and sale of automatic weapons. Furthermore, automatically sold weapons have high acquisition costs that may also be a challenge in achieving market growth.

Opportunity

Modernization of law enforcement capabilities

The increased number of automatic weapons in the market today raises the bar on public safety and weapon-related incidents across the globe. The governments have to modernize the law enforcement agencies' functionalities to control the organized crimes and the inflow of drugs, domestic violence, and arms smuggling. The governments are expensively developing automatic weapons for use by law enforcement agencies.

Automatic Weapons Market Key Takeaways

• North America led the way for automatic weapons with a market share of 41% in 2024.
• Asia Pacific will lead in terms of growth rates in the market over the forecast period.
• Product-wise, more than 43% market share is contributed by the automatic rifle segment in 2024.
• Product-wise machine gun is likely to grow at the fastest rate in the market in the forecast period.
• The type type of the market was led by semi-automatic segment in 2024.
• The fully automatic segment is expected to gain maximum growth in the market in the forecast period.
• In 2024, the market was led by small caliber based on type.
• The market for medium caliber is expected to grow at a significant rate in the forecast period.
• The land segment of the market by end-user held the largest share in 2024.
• The airborne segment of the market is anticipated to grow at a tremendous rate in the market over the projection period, by end-user.

Regional Analysis

The automatic weapons market in 2024 was led by North America. The cause of the increase in market development in the region is due to the large budget and expenditure by the defense forces to arm their special forces. The largest expenditure incurred is that of purchasing modern arms and enhancing the defense sector with such modern weapons. Moreover, the key players of the market based in the region are also enhancing the growth rate of the market.

Asia Pacific is expected to gain the most rapidly in the automatic weapons market, during the forecast period. It is primarily due to the ever-mounting requirement of military with body armor and overall military spending; this region's government, especially India and China, are significantly investing in military spending. In addition to this, the increasing defense and individual spending in the region will further accelerate the growth of the market in that region during the next few years.

Recent Developments

• Estonian Defence Investment Centre signed a deal with Israel's IWI on 20 March 2023, for supplying 1,000 NG7 'Negev' light machine weapon systems to Estonia's army. 'Negevv' machine guns, as stated, to be delivered in December or early January 2024, will replace existing MG3 and KSP-58 machines.
• In January 2022, FN America received a USD 49 million contract from the U.S. Army for M240L medium machine guns and titanium receivers. The M240L was adopted in 2010 as an outcome of a joint venture between FN and the U.S. Army. The M240L is about 18% lighter than the M240B, yet will help to reduce overall weight without affecting the performance and durability of the machine gun.
• In May 2022, defense giant Saab and its armed forces partners concluded a two-day series of live-fire demonstrations, the largest since 2014-including live firings at night. As Sweden formally requests membership in NATO after years of balancing the alliance with Russia, the spotlight is shining on its domestic defense industry.

Segments Covered in the Report:

By Product

• Automatic Rifle
• Machine Gun
• Automatic Launchers
• Automatic Cannon
• Gatling Gun

By Type

• Fully Automatic
• Semi-automatic

By Caliber

• Small Caliber
• Medium Caliber
• Large Caliber

By End-user

• Land
• Maritime
• Airborne

By Geography

• North America
• Asia Pacific
• Europe
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa