Recoilless Rifle Global Market Report 2026

A recoilless rifle is a lightweight artillery weapon designed to significantly reduce or eliminate the recoil that usually occurs when firing a projectile. It accomplishes this by releasing propellant gases out the rear of the weapon simultaneously as the projectile is propelled forward, balancing the forces and minimizing backward kick.

Recoilless rifles come mainly in two forms: man-portable and vehicle-mounted. Man-portable recoilless rifles are designed to be lightweight for operation by a single soldier, allowing for greater mobility and quick deployment. These weapons are produced in various calibers-small, medium, and large-and employ different firing mechanisms including semi-automatic, automatic, and manual modes. They are used across several applications such as defense and law enforcement and are employed by military units as well as homeland security 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 have affected the recoilless rifle market by increasing the cost of imported weapon components, specialized alloys, and precision manufacturing equipment used in defense production. These impacts are most visible in man-portable and vehicle-mounted segments, particularly across north america, europe, and asia-pacific where defense manufacturing and procurement are concentrated. Higher tariffs have led to procurement delays and increased system costs for military and homeland security agencies. On the positive side, tariffs have encouraged domestic defense manufacturing, localized supply chains, and technology transfer initiatives, strengthening national defense industrial bases.

The recoilless rifle market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides recoilless rifle market statistics, including recoilless rifle industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a recoilless rifle market share, detailed recoilless rifle market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the recoilless rifle industry. This recoilless rifle 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 recoilless rifle market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.13 billion in 2025 to $1.21 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to early adoption of man-portable recoilless rifles, growth in vehicle-mounted applications, development of lightweight weapon systems, increasing defense modernization initiatives, demand from law enforcement and military agencies.

The recoilless rifle market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.54 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising need for advanced targeting and fire control systems, growth in armored and utility vehicle integration, expansion in defense budgets across emerging markets, adoption of lightweight and high-strength materials, increasing tactical mobility requirements for military operations. Major trends in the forecast period include enhanced mobility and deployment capabilities, improved accuracy and targeting systems, integration with advanced fire control systems, lightweight materials for weapon components, expansion of tactical and vehicle-mounted variants.

The growing defense budget is expected to drive the expansion of the recoilless rifle market in the coming years. A defense budget refers to the financial resources allocated by a country's military for the procurement, replenishment, and maintenance of ammunition such as bullets, shells, missiles, and other munitions. Defense budgets are rising due to increased geopolitical tensions, broader military operations, and the necessity to replenish depleted ammunition reserves. Higher defense spending is accelerating the development of recoilless rifles by supporting advanced technologies, boosting production capacity, and enabling modernization initiatives to improve battlefield performance. For example, in October 2025, the House of Commons Library, a UK-based research body, reported that defense spending is expected to reach £62.2 ($72.98) billion in 2025/26 and increase further to £73.5 ($86.24) billion by 2028/29. Consequently, the rise in defense budgets is fueling the growth of the recoilless rifle market.

Leading companies in the recoilless rifle market are investing in technological innovations such as portable shoulder-launched weapon systems to boost mobility, precision, and deliver lightweight yet powerful options for modern infantry and special forces. These man-portable, shoulder-fired weapons are compact, allowing a single soldier to operate them, designed to engage armored vehicles, bunkers, or enemy personnel effectively. For example, in March 2024, Sweden-based Saab AB introduced the Carl-Gustaf M4, a sophisticated shoulder-fired weapon engineered for contemporary infantry operations, capable of countering armored threats, fortifications, and urban targets, providing enhanced flexibility and power in both traditional and peacekeeping missions. The Carl-Gustaf M4 is an improved iteration of the versatile Carl-Gustaf M3 shoulder-fired recoilless rifle system.

In May 2024, Colt CZ Group SE, a firearms manufacturer headquartered in the Czech Republic, acquired Sellier & Bellot for $703 million. This acquisition strengthens its small-caliber ammunition production capabilities, extends its international presence, and allows it to offer integrated weapon systems, supporting its strategic goal to grow and diversify. Sellier & Bellot is a Czech company specializing in firearms and ammunition manufacturing.

Major companies operating in the recoilless rifle market report are Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, China North Industries Group Corporation Limited, General Dynamics Corporation, BAE Systems, Rheinmetall AG, Elbit Systems Ltd., Saab AB, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG, FN Herstal, Nammo AS, Denel SOC Ltd., ST Engineering, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Nexter Group, RUAG Group, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Howa Machinery Ltd, KB Mashinostroyeniya, Larsen & Toubro Limited, Hanwha Defense, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Colt CZ Group SE

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

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

The recoilless rifle market consists of sales of shoulder-fired systems, tripod-mounted systems, laser rangefinders, and smoke and illumination rounds. 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.

Recoilless Rifle 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 recoilless rifle 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 recoilless rifle ? 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 recoilless rifle 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: Man-Portable; Vehicle-Mounted
• 2) By Caliber: Small Caliber; Medium Caliber; Large Caliber
• 3) By Firing Mechanism: Semi-Automatic; Automatic; Manual
• 4) By Application: Defense; Law Enforcement
• 5) By End-User: Military; Homeland Security
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Man-Portable: Lightweight Recoilless Rifles; Medium Caliber Recoilless Rifles; Heavy Caliber Recoilless Rifles
• 2) By Vehicle-Mounted: Armored Vehicle-Mounted Recoilless Rifles; Utility Vehicle-Mounted Recoilless Rifles; Tactical Vehicle-Mounted Recoilless Rifles
• Companies Mentioned: Raytheon Technologies Corporation; Lockheed Martin Corporation; China North Industries Group Corporation Limited; General Dynamics Corporation; BAE Systems; Rheinmetall AG; Elbit Systems Ltd.; Saab AB; Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG; FN Herstal; Nammo AS; Denel SOC Ltd.; ST Engineering; Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.; Nexter Group; RUAG Group; Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace; Howa Machinery Ltd; KB Mashinostroyeniya; Larsen & Toubro Limited; Hanwha Defense; Tata Advanced Systems Limited; Colt CZ Group SE
• 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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