PUBLISHER: IMARC | PRODUCT CODE: 1792269
PUBLISHER: IMARC | PRODUCT CODE: 1792269
The military robotics and autonomous systems market size reached USD 10.8 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 24.6 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 9.60% during 2025-2033. North America dominated the market in 2024. The market is experiencing steady growth driven by increasing number of geopolitical tensions and security threats, rising number of collaborations and partnerships between companies, and the integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI).
Operational efficiency and cost savings
As per Global Times, China launched the world's largest electric-powered quadruped bionic robot on 16 January 2022, which can carry up to 160 kilograms, run at up to 10 kilometers an hour, and is suitable for several kinds of terrains. The rising adoption of military RAS, as it offers enhanced efficiency by providing real time data gathering and analysis, is impelling the market growth. These capabilities benefit in improving decision-making processes and enabling quicker responses to dynamic situations. Various companies and governing agencies are investing in robotics that are operational in various terrain types, contributing to the broader expansion of the military robotics and autonomous systems market USA.
Changing nature of warfare
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and autonomous weapons are offering new capabilities for reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strikes. The rising adoption of UAVs for asymmetric and urban warfare is supporting the market growth. Conflicts in densely populated cities present unique challenges for military forces, such as concerns about collateral damage, civilian casualties, and infrastructure destruction. Additionally, urban warfare can take many forms, ranging from guerrilla attacks to militia patrols to gang violence. As per the Hindustan Times, on 31 January 2024, security forces have unearthed a 130 meter-long and 6-foot-deep tunnel constructed by Maoists in Chhattisgarh. These tunnels provide both offensive and defensive advantages in guerrilla warfare.
Increasing number of geopolitical tensions and security threats
There is a rise in the number of geopolitical tensions and security threats across the globe that are leading to fatalities. The Journal of Peace Research claims that fatalities from organized violence increased by 97% as compared to the previous year, from 120,000 in 2021 to 237,000 in 2022. Geopolitical tensions and threats are leading to the increasing need for enhanced surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Military drones and autonomous surveillance systems offer valuable intelligence gathering without harming human lives. They can monitor borders, track troop movements, and gather information on potential threats, thereby improving situational awareness and preparedness.
Modernization of armed programs
Governing authorities of numerous countries are investing in the modernization of their armed forces, which is impelling the market growth. The Times of India reported that the Indian Army is investing in artificial intelligence (AI) innovations, revolutionizing modern warfare strategies. The army force introduced a multi-utility legged equipment (MULE), an autonomous load-bearing robot, on 13 September 2023. The robot offers exceptional versatility, as it has a 12 kg payload capacity and adaptable features, such as thermal cameras and radars. It also has dual communication capabilities that support both long term evolution (LTE) and wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), making it suitable for short-range and long-range operations across diverse terrains, aligning with the latest military robotics and autonomous systems market trends.
Shift toward scalable and agile procurement
The US Department of Defense's Replicator Program is driving a new procurement model focused on rapidly fielding large volumes of autonomous systems. Aimed at countering mass deployments by adversaries, this initiative prioritizes cost-effective, expendable platforms over high-end, complex systems. It encourages the integration of commercially available technologies and opens the defense market to non-traditional vendors, including startups and dual-use tech firms. By accelerating deployment timelines and lowering production costs, the program is reshaping demand dynamics in the military RAS market. This shift supports broader goals of deterrence, adaptability, and operational resilience, and is likely to influence defense procurement strategies in other countries facing similar strategic pressures.
Collaborations and partnerships between companies
Collaboration and agreements between defense contractors, technology companies, academia, and governing agencies are leading to innovations in the military RAS. For example, on 7 March 2024, Milrem Robotics, a leading robotics and autonomous systems developer of Europe, concluded its participation in the US Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE). The event, conducted in February in Fort Moore, USA, focuses on experimenting with new technology in realistic operational settings. In addition, in cooperation and partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Defence and at the invitation of the Dutch Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) unit it allowed Milrem Robotics to present the capabilities of weaponized THeMIS Combat Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV).
Market growth and expansion
The demand for RAS is increasing on account of the ongoing modernization efforts by armed forces around the world. Various countries are upgrading their defense capabilities by acquiring advanced RAS technologies. As per Inside Defense, the US Army is focusing on new human-machine integrated formations initiative. These integrated formations are projected to bring robotic systems into units alongside humans. Their army is deploying robots for the first time beyond explosive ordnance units with the small multi-purpose equipment transport capability.
Rising investments in research and development (R&D)
The increasing investing in R&D activities to maintain strategic advantage and deter potential threats is supporting the growth of the market. This includes developing advanced weapons systems, sensor technologies, and intelligence capabilities to ensure superiority across various domains, including land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. Besides this, companies are receiving funds from governing agencies to launch improved robotic systems. Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, announced that it has received new orders worth US$ 62.1 Million from the U.S. Armed Services for its advanced and multi-mission robots on 7 July 2022.
Technology innovation and development
Key players are introducing advanced technologies in RAS by engaging in partnerships, agreements, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). For instance, on 22 September 2022, Raytheon Missiles and Defense partnered with Northrop Grumman to develop the hypersonic attack cruise missile for the US Air Force (USAF). HACM is a first-of-its-kind weapon developed in conjunction with the Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE), a US and Australia project arrangement. HACM represents a breakthrough in hypersonic weapon technology that combines the characteristics of a cruise missile with the speed and maneuverability of a hypersonic vehicle. It can travel at ultra-high speeds, exceeding Mach 5, and deliver precision strikes against time-sensitive targets.
Swarm autonomous unmanned systems
Innovations in swarm technology enable the coordination of large numbers of autonomous drones or robots and offer new capabilities for reconnaissance, surveillance, and enemy defenses. Swarm autonomous unmanned systems can move together through local network or satellite control systems. NewSpace Research and Technologies, a Bengaluru-based start-up delivered SWARM UAVs to Indian Army on 13 February 2023 as reported by The Print.
Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAVs
VTOL UAVs can take off and land vertically without the aid of a runway. They are known for their efficient, flexible, long-range flight. They can fly anytime and anywhere for different industrial fields, such as surveillance, mapping, surveying, and others. Furthermore, various companies are introducing VTOL for diverse purposes, such as Amber wings a UAV startup launched a compact hybrid VTOL drone 'Atva' for the transportation of cargo, medical supplies, and e-commerce deliveries reported by The Times of India on 11 October 2023.
Human-machine teaming
Human-machine teaming (HMT) is a new technology that involves combining the strengths of human cognition, intuition, and creativity with the computational power and speed of machines. It benefits in enhancing decision-making, situational awareness, and operational effectiveness on the battlefield. It is applied across various defense domains, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), logistics, cyber operations, and autonomous systems. Companies like Tomahawk Robotics collaborated with Rowden Technologies to provide its universal command and control technology and products for the United Kingdom's Army Future Capabilities Group Human Machine Teaming (HMT) tactical uncrewed systems fleet program on 23 February 2023 claimed by PR Newswire.
AI integration to enhance decision-making capabilities of military robots
The military sector is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in autonomous weapons and vehicle systems. AI-powered crewless aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ground vehicles and submarines are employed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat operations. AI benefits in enabling real-time data analysis, decision-making, and situational awareness. In addition, AI algorithms assist in analyzing data acquired from battlefield sensors and other sources to predict equipment failures before they occur. On 7 February 2024, the Australian military partnered with the UK and the US to showcase the operability of autonomous assets with AI in South Australia.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) account for the majority of the market share
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are aircraft that can be remotely controlled by a human operator or operate autonomously based on pre-programmed instructions or artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. UAVs are widely available in various shapes and sizes, ranging from small handheld models to large and advanced aircraft for military, commercial, scientific, and recreational purposes. Additionally, there is a rise in the adoption of UAVs for various purposes.
The number of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) produced is anticipated to grow from 2 million units in 2021 to 6.5 million in 2030 as per the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Semi-autonomous holds the largest share of the industry
Semi-autonomous operates with a combination of automated features and human control or supervision. In this system, certain tasks or functions are automated, but human intervention or oversight is still required for decision-making, monitoring, and intervention if necessary. In addition, various military forces of several countries are investing in semi-autonomous systems like the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched its new semi-autonomous robotic ground vehicle called the Jaguar on 6 May 2021. It is capable of driving by itself to a predetermined destination while spotting and bypassing obstacles using sensors and an advanced driving system.
Land based represents the leading market segment
Land based are systems that are conducted on the surface of the Earth. They comprise ground vehicles, artillery and missile systems, and command and control systems. They are deployed on land for offensive and defensive purposes. Moreover, various companies and governing agencies are engaging in agreements to encourage land-based systems. The European Commission signed an agreement to launch the Land Tactical Collaborative Combat (LATACC) project coordinated by Thales to improve the collaborative capabilities of European coalition forces on 17 January 2024. Moreover, the project aims to enable the different land combat systems being developed by each member state to coordinate their actions in coalition with very short response times.
Military and defense exhibit a clear dominance in the market
Military and defense forces are increasingly conducting a variety of operations, including combat operations, peacekeeping missions, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, counterterrorism operations, and other activities to protect national interests and support international stability. They are also investing in RAS to tackle various geopolitical situations and threats. Governing agencies of India are allocating huge funds to these sectors for maintaining peace worldwide. The Ministry of Defence represents an enhancement of INR 68,371.49 crore (13%) over the budget of 2022-23 as per the Press Information Bureau.
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) dominates the market
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) include manned and unmanned airborne, space-borne, maritime, and terrestrial systems that play critical roles in support of military operations. ISR systems range in size from mobile devices to satellites. They also use unstructured data to extract and analyze insights. Moreover, they excel in operating within hostile environments, mitigating the risk to human lives, and thereby serving as invaluable assets for military intelligence operations. In October 2023, army engineers from the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME) in Secunderabad (India) unveiled 'Robotic Buddy', a versatile robot that serves various battlefield needs. It can remotely detect humans, track specific areas, measure distances, and transmit intelligence, surveillance, and target acquisition (ISR) data.
The market research report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape covering market structure, market share by key players, market player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant, among others. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. This includes business overview, product offerings, business strategies, SWOT analysis, financials, and major news and events. Some of the major market players in the military robotics and autonomous systems industry include AeroVironment, Inc., Applied Intuition Government, Inc., BAE Systems, Elbit Systems Ltd., Ghost Robotics Corporation, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Lockheed Martin Corporation, Milrem Robotics, Northrop Grumman, QinetiQ, Rheinmetall AG, Teledyne FLIR LLC, and Thales.
Key players in the market are focusing on introducing advanced autonomous vehicles that offer superior features. They are also engaging in partnerships and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to develop robotic defense systems. Besides this, various players are focusing on various trials that involve a wide range of challenging scenarios for their products. For example, on 6 July 2023, Milrem Robotics achieved success during the recent autonomy trials conducted by the Estonian Military Academy. The trials showcased the superior capabilities of Milrem Robotics' unmanned ground system, THeMIS, when equipped with the company's intelligent functions kit, MIFIK.