loitering Munition System Global Market Report 2026

A loitering munition system is an aerial weapon that blends characteristics of both a drone and a guided missile, designed to remain airborne for extended periods before self-detonating to strike a designated target. Its primary function is to deliver real-time surveillance and conduct precision strikes on high-value or time-critical targets while minimizing risk to personnel.

The main categories of loitering munition systems include mini loitering munitions, tactical loitering munitions, and strategic loitering munitions. Mini loitering munitions are compact, lightweight, expendable aerial platforms intended for short-range precision engagements and are often deployed by infantry units in close-quarters or urban settings. They rely on technologies such as electro-optical or infrared (EO/IR) sensors, radar guidance, and global positioning system (GPS) or inertial navigation system (INS) guidance. These systems can be launched from ground platforms, aircraft, and naval assets and are used across various applications - including military, commercial, and homeland security - serving end users such as defense forces and paramilitary organizations.

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 loitering munition components have impacted manufacturing costs and global supply chains, particularly affecting defense forces and paramilitary organizations in north america, europe, and asia-pacific. While adoption in some regions may slow, tariffs have encouraged local production, improved supply chain resilience, and accelerated innovation in lightweight and high-endurance loitering munitions.

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

The loitering munition system market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.02 billion in 2025 to $2.22 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to development of mini loitering munitions, initial deployment of tactical loitering systems, adoption in military operations for high-value target engagement, integration of eo/ir systems, ground-based platform launches for early reconnaissance.

The loitering munition system market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.22 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for strategic long-endurance systems, expansion in naval and aerial platform launches, adoption by paramilitary organizations for precision operations, advancements in gps/ins guidance technologies, integration with homeland security surveillance systems. Major trends in the forecast period include extended loitering time and endurance, precision strike capabilities with minimal collateral damage, integration with multi-domain platforms, enhanced real-time surveillance and targeting, lightweight and portable loitering munition designs.

The loitering munition system market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.94 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the expansion of military modernization programs, rising demand for multi-role loitering munitions, growth in counterterrorism operations requiring precision and rapid-response capabilities, increasing use of loitering munitions in naval and aerial platforms, and rising geopolitical tensions. Major trends in the forecast period include turbojet-powered high-speed munitions, expansion of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled autonomy and swarm operations, miniaturization and modular design, and real-time intelligence and surveillance.

The rising geopolitical tensions are expected to drive growth in the loitering munition system market. These tensions, stemming from political, economic, territorial, or strategic disputes, are increasingly triggered by territorial conflicts that jeopardize national sovereignty and control over strategically important regions. Loitering munition systems play a key role in responding to these tensions by offering rapid, accurate strike capabilities with minimal collateral damage, thereby enhancing military preparedness in unstable areas. These systems provide real-time surveillance and offensive capabilities, improving strategic deterrence and operational effectiveness. For example, in October 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported over 181,000 migrant encounters at the US-Canada border, reflecting a 6.5% increase from 170,000 in 2023. This rise in cross-border pressures underscores the growing need for advanced defense systems like loitering munitions.

Leading companies in the loitering munition system sector are developing innovative solutions, such as air-launched platforms, to improve operational range, targeting precision, and flexibility in contested environments. Air-launched platforms allow loitering munitions to be deployed from airborne vehicles like drones or helicopters, facilitating rapid response and extended reach without requiring major system integration. For instance, in June 2025, UVision Air Ltd., an Israel-based defense firm, introduced a modular launch rack for its Hero-120 loitering munition. This upgrade enables deployment from combat helicopters, significantly enhancing tactical flexibility and lethality. The Hero-120, a medium-range anti-armor system, now offers a strike range of 40-60 kilometers and endurance of up to one hour with rapid, low-signature deployment capability.

In April 2025, UVision USA Corporation, a subsidiary of UVision Air Ltd., acquired Trim Robotics Ltd. for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition aims to expand UVision's loitering munition capabilities by integrating Trim Robotics' advanced technologies, including the dual-fuselage Quadikaze missile. The deal is expected to boost the performance, precision, and adaptability of UVision's systems in complex operational environments and accelerate the development of next-generation autonomous solutions. Trim Robotics Ltd. is an Israel-based defense tech company known for its innovation in loitering munition design.

Major companies operating in the loitering munition system market report are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus SE, RTX Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems plc, Thales Group, Rheinmetall AG, Elbit Systems Ltd., Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Edge PJSC Group, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., MBDA Missile Systems, KNDS N.V., Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, Solar Industries India Limited, Paramount Group, AeroVironment Inc., Anduril Industries, STM Savuma Teknolojileri Muhendislik Ve Ticaret A.S, WB Group Sp. z o.o., UVision Air Ltd., Embention Sistemas Inteligentes S.L., AVision Systems Pvt. Ltd., ZALA Aero Group

North America was the largest region in the loitering munition system market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the loitering munition system market are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

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

The loitering munition system market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as target acquisition, real-time surveillance and reconnaissance, mission planning and control, system integration, maintenance and support, and training for operational deployment. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The loitering munition system market also includes sales of launch platforms, ground control stations, communication systems, guidance modules, and associated payloads and sensors. 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.

loitering Munition System 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 loitering munition system 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.

Reasons to Purchase

• Gain a truly global perspective with the most comprehensive report available on this market covering 16 geographies.
• Assess the impact of key macro factors such as geopolitical conflicts, trade policies and tariffs, inflation and interest rate fluctuations, and evolving regulatory landscapes.
• Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis.
• Identify growth segments for investment.
• Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market.
• Understand customers based on end user analysis.
• Benchmark performance against key competitors based on market share, innovation, and brand strength.
• Evaluate the total addressable market (TAM) and market attractiveness scoring to measure market potential.
• Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high-quality data and analysis
• Report will be updated with the latest data and delivered to you within 2-3 working days of order along with an Excel data sheet for easy data extraction and analysis.
• All data from the report will also be delivered in an excel dashboard format.

Where is the largest and fastest growing market for loitering munition system ? 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 loitering munition system 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: Mini Loitering Munitions; Tactical Loitering Munitions; Strategic Loitering Munitions
• 2) By Technology: Electro-Optical Or Infrared (EO/IR) Systems; Radar Guidance Systems; Global Positioning System (GPS) Or Inertial Navigation System (INS) Guidance Systems
• 3) By Launch Platform: Ground-Based Systems; Aerial Platforms; Naval Platforms
• 4) By Application: Military; Commercial; Homeland Security
• 5) By End-User: Defense Forces; Paramilitary Organizations
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Mini Loitering Munitions: Man-Portable Systems; Backpack-Launched Systems; Single-Use Systems
• 2) By Tactical Loitering Munitions: Tube-Launched Systems; Vehicle-Launched Systems; Medium Endurance Systems
• 3) By Strategic Loitering Munitions: Long-Endurance Systems; High-Payload Systems; Air-Launched Systems
• Companies Mentioned: Lockheed Martin Corporation; Airbus SE; RTX Corporation; Northrop Grumman Corporation; BAE Systems plc; Thales Group; Rheinmetall AG; Elbit Systems Ltd.; Teledyne Technologies Incorporated; Edge PJSC Group; Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.; MBDA Missile Systems; KNDS N.V.; Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd; Solar Industries India Limited; Paramount Group; AeroVironment Inc.; Anduril Industries; STM Savuma Teknolojileri Muhendislik Ve Ticaret A.S; WB Group Sp. z o.o.; UVision Air Ltd.; Embention Sistemas Inteligentes S.L.; AVision Systems Pvt. Ltd.; ZALA Aero Group
• 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.
• Delivery Format: Word, PDF or Interactive Report
• + Excel Dashboard
• Added Benefits
• Bi-Annual Data Update
• Customisation
• Expert Consultant Support

Added Benefits available all on all list-price licence purchases, to be claimed at time of purchase. Customisations within report scope and limited to 20% of content and consultant support time limited to 8 hours.