Helicopter Engines Market Report 2026

The helicopter engines market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $23.61 billion in 2025 to $24.44 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of military helicopter fleets, expansion of emergency medical services aviation, demand for reliable rotorcraft propulsion, defense modernization programs, oil and gas offshore helicopter usage.

The helicopter engines market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $28.81 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to fleet modernization initiatives, rising defense budgets, demand for fuel-efficient engines, expansion of search and rescue operations, adoption of advanced materials in engines. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in turboshaft engine efficiency, rising demand for lightweight helicopter engines, increasing use in emergency and defense operations, focus on engine reliability and safety, growth of retrofit and upgrade programs.

The rising military expenditure is expected to drive the growth of the helicopter engines market in the coming years. Military expenditure refers to the total financial resources a country allocates to defense and military-related activities within a specific period, typically annually. As armed forces worldwide emphasize helicopter capabilities for missions such as transport, reconnaissance, and search and rescue, the associated contracts and investments contribute to the expansion of the helicopter engines market. For example, in September 2025, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Sweden-based institute analyzing global military expenditure, reported that global military spending reached US$ 2.7 trillion in 2024 and is projected to rise to US$ 6.6 trillion by 2035. Therefore, the increasing military expenditure is supporting the growth of the helicopter engines market.

Key players in the helicopter engines market are focusing on adopting electric propulsion technologies, such as high-speed electric motors, to enhance sustainability, reduce weight, and simplify operations. Electric motor-based propulsion uses batteries or hybrid electric powertrains instead of conventional combustion turboshaft or piston engines, offering benefits such as lighter propulsion, simpler drivetrain, direct drive without a gearbox, scalable power output, and lower emissions. For instance, in March 2025, magniX, a US-based electric aviation company, launched HeliStorm, an electric engine range designed for helicopters from light single-engine to hybrid electric twin-engine rotorcraft, providing a complete electric propulsion solution when paired with its battery packs. HeliStorm features a peak power output of 330 kW at just 75 kg, operating speeds of 6,000-7,000 RPM, scalable power ranges, and built-in fault handling for reliability. HeliStorm delivers key benefits including reduced weight, simplified propulsion architecture, and potential for lower emissions and maintenance costs, supporting the shift toward cleaner, more efficient vertical-lift aircraft.

In June 2025, Avio Aero, an Italy-based aerospace engine manufacturer, partnered with Safran Helicopter Engines and MTU Aero Engines to develop a fully European helicopter engine for future military rotorcraft. Through this collaboration, the companies aim to create the European Next-Generation Helicopter Engine (ENGHE), focusing on strengthening European defense autonomy and delivering a high-performance rotorcraft powerplant with improved engine efficiency, reduced operating and maintenance costs, greater range, higher speed, enhanced maneuverability, and increased availability. Safran Helicopter Engines is a France-based specialist in helicopter turboshaft engines, while MTU Aero Engines is a Germany-based aircraft engine manufacturer with extensive experience in civil and military propulsion systems.

Major companies operating in the helicopter engines market are Safran S.A., Rolls-Royce PLC, GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Honeywell Aerospace, MTU Aero Engines, ITP Aero, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), United Engine Corporation, JSC Klimov, The Omsk Engine Design Bureau, Rostec State Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., IHI Corporation, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Turbomeca (Safran Helicopter Engines), Motor Sich JSC, Ivchenko-Progress State Enterprise, Lycoming Engines, Rotax Aircraft Engines, ULPower Aero Engines.

North America was the largest region in the helicopter engines market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the helicopter engines market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the helicopter engines market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The helicopter engines market consists of sales of magnetos, fuel injection system, alternator, starter motor, and engine block. 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.

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