Thermal Imaging Global Market Report 2026

Thermal imaging technology utilizes infrared radiation and thermal energy to create visible images of objects, facilitating visibility in low-light environments by translating thermal energy into visible light.

In the realm of thermal imaging, key products include thermal cameras, thermal scopes, and thermal modules. Thermal imaging cameras function by converting thermal energy into visible light, facilitating analysis of specific objects or scenes. These cameras utilize diverse technologies such as cooled and uncooled systems, employing wavelengths such as shortwave infrared, mid-wave infrared, and long-wave infrared. Their applications span across thermography, surveillance, personal vision systems, firefighting, ruggedized smartphones, and various other uses. These technologies find utility in sectors such as aerospace and defense, law enforcement, healthcare, automotive, oil and gas, residential purposes, manufacturing, and beyond.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on infrared sensors, semiconductor components, and optical modules have increased production costs for thermal imaging systems, particularly affecting camera and module manufacturers dependent on cross border sourcing. Regions such as Asia Pacific and Europe face higher import duties on specialized components, resulting in slower deployment across industrial, defense, and automotive sectors. However, tariffs have encouraged localized manufacturing, strengthened domestic supply chains, and promoted innovation in cost-efficient thermal technologies to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers.

The thermal imaging market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides thermal imaging market statistics, including thermal imaging industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a thermal imaging market share, detailed thermal imaging market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the thermal imaging industry. This thermal imaging market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The thermal imaging market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $8.24 billion in 2025 to $9.21 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing use of thermal imaging in defense surveillance, rising demand for night vision systems, early adoption in industrial inspection, growing fire safety monitoring applications, expansion of thermal cameras in law enforcement.

The thermal imaging market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $14.51 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.0%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising integration of thermal imaging in autonomous vehicles, increasing use in healthcare diagnostics, growing demand for thermal modules in smartphones, expansion of smart city surveillance projects, increasing adoption in predictive maintenance. Major trends in the forecast period include advancement in ai-powered thermal analytics, increased adoption of thermal imaging in autonomous systems, growing integration of thermal sensors with iot networks, rising use of thermal imaging in industrial automation, expansion of thermal-based augmented and virtual reality solutions.

The rising government spending in the aerospace and defense sector is significantly propelling the growth of the thermal imaging market. This technology plays a crucial role in surveillance and observation within industries that require enhanced monitoring capabilities. For example, in April 2024, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a Sweden-based international organization, reported that global military expenditure reached $2,443 billion in 2023, marking a real-term increase of 6.8 percent compared to 2022. The top ten military spenders, including the United States, China, and Russia, all increased their defense budgets during this period. Consequently, the heightened investment in the defense sector is driving the thermal imaging market forward.

Major players in the thermal imaging market concentrate on pioneering products such as the thermal imaging camera to cater to customer needs reliably. A thermal imaging camera, leveraging infrared technology, captures images based on emitted heat from objects, transcending visible light limitations. Seek Thermal's FirePRO 300 launch in April 2023 exemplifies this trend. This camera introduces Seek Thermal's unique Mixed Gain mode, enabling firefighters to perceive extreme heat and cold simultaneously in one image, enhancing detail visibility and providing superior situational awareness.

In December 2023, Sportsmap Tech Acquisition Corp., a US-based blank check company, acquired Infrared Cameras Holdings Inc. for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition aims to serve as a foundational step in generating long-term returns for the company's shareholders. Infrared Cameras Holdings Inc. is a US-based company that specializes in designing, developing, and manufacturing FLIR and SWIR thermal imaging infrared cameras and systems.

Major companies operating in the thermal imaging market are RTX Corporation, Canon Inc., BAE Systems plc, L3HARRIS Technologies Inc., Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co Ltd., Zhejiang ULIRvision Technology Co Ltd., Leonardo S.p.A., Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Sofradir SAS, FLIR Systems Inc., Axis Communications AB, Fluke Corporation, Jenoptik AG, Testo SE & Co KGaA, Wuhan Guide Sensmart Tech Co Ltd., Guide Infrared Co Ltd., Nippon Avionics Co Ltd., Thermoteknix Systems Ltd., InfraTec Infrared LLC, Xenics NV, Opgal Optronic Industries Ltd., Cantronic Systems Inc., Tonbo Imaging Pvt Ltd., MoviTHERM, New Imaging Technologies, Seek Thermal Inc., Argus Thermal Imaging Cameras

North America was the largest region in the thermal imaging market in 2025. The regions covered in the thermal imaging market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the thermal imaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The thermal imaging market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing thermal imaging services such as gathering and analysis of thermal radiation, infrared thermal imaging services, detect radiation. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The thermal imaging market also includes sales of computers, infrared thermal camera, thermometers which are used in providing thermal imaging services. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Thermal Imaging Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses thermal imaging market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for thermal imaging ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The thermal imaging market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Thermal Cameras; Thermal Scopes; Thermal Modules
• 2) By Technology: Cooled; Uncooled
• 3) By Wavelength: Shortwave Infrared; Mid Wave Infrared; Long Wave Infrared
• 4) By Application: Thermography; Surveillance; Personal Vision Systems; Fire Fighting; Smartphones (Ruggedized); Other Applications
• 5) By Vertical: Aerospace And Defense; Law enforcement; Healthcare; Automotive; Oil And Gas; Residential; Manufacturing; Other Verticals
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Thermal Cameras: Handheld Thermal Cameras; Fixed Thermal Cameras; Smart Thermal Cameras
• 2) By Thermal Scopes: Clip-on Thermal Scopes; Dedicated Thermal Scopes
• 3) By Thermal Modules: Uncooled Thermal Modules; Cooled Thermal Modules; OEM Thermal Modules
• Companies Mentioned: RTX Corporation; Canon Inc.; BAE Systems plc; L3HARRIS Technologies Inc.; Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co Ltd.; Zhejiang ULIRvision Technology Co Ltd.; Leonardo S.p.A.; Teledyne Technologies Incorporated; Sofradir SAS; FLIR Systems Inc.; Axis Communications AB; Fluke Corporation; Jenoptik AG; Testo SE & Co KGaA; Wuhan Guide Sensmart Tech Co Ltd.; Guide Infrared Co Ltd.; Nippon Avionics Co Ltd.; Thermoteknix Systems Ltd.; InfraTec Infrared LLC; Xenics NV; Opgal Optronic Industries Ltd.; Cantronic Systems Inc.; Tonbo Imaging Pvt Ltd.; MoviTHERM; New Imaging Technologies; Seek Thermal Inc.; Argus Thermal Imaging Cameras
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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