Laser Weapon Systems Market Report 2026

The laser weapon systems market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $6.66 billion in 2025 to $7.27 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to advancements in high-energy laser generation enabling early directed-energy prototypes, rising defense interest in low-cost per-shot weapons for counter-drone and missile applications, development of high-powered microwave systems for disabling electronics, increased integration of laser demonstrators on naval and land platforms, growth in government-funded research programs validating laser weapon feasibility.

The laser weapon systems market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $10.07 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for precision, speed-of-light defensive capabilities against emerging threats, advancements in compact power and thermal management systems enabling fieldable laser weapons, increasing deployment of laser systems for counter-uav and counter-munition missions, expansion of multi-domain laser integration across air, land and sea platforms, growing defense investment to scale high-energy laser output for next-generation operational systems. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for high-energy precision strike capabilities, increased integration of directed-energy systems in defense platforms, advancements in solid-state and chemical laser technologies, growing adoption of counter-drone laser solutions, expansion of laser-based targeting and range-finding solutions.

Growing defense budgets are a significant driver of the laser weapon systems market during the forecast period. As governments increase their defense spending, they are better positioned to explore new technologies and invest in innovative products to enhance national security. For example, in March 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense reported a Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget request of $842 billion, representing a $26 billion increase from FY 2023 and a $100 billion rise compared to FY 2022. Thus, the increasing defense budgets are fueling the growth of the laser weapon systems market.

Major companies operating in the laser weapons market are developing advanced high-energy laser systems to improve battlefield effectiveness, enhance threat neutralization, and address emerging aerial and missile threats. High-energy laser weapons use concentrated beams of light to disable, damage, or destroy targets such as drones, missiles, and small vessels, providing precise, cost-efficient, and scalable alternatives to traditional kinetic weapons. For example, in September 2025, EOS, an Australia-based defense technology company, introduced Apollo, its high-energy laser weapon system designed to deliver scalable, rapid-response defense against airborne and surface threats. Apollo incorporates advanced targeting and beam-control technologies, offering military forces a flexible and dependable solution for protecting critical assets in modern combat environments.

In November 2024, AeroVironment Inc., a U.S.-based provider of uncrewed systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS solutions, and related defense technologies, acquired BlueHalo LLC in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $4.1 billion. The acquisition aims to integrate BlueHalo’s directed-energy weapon systems, space technologies, and electronic warfare capabilities to strengthen AeroVironment’s defense portfolio and accelerate its development of next-generation military technologies. BlueHalo LLC is a U.S.-based provider of space technologies, electronic warfare systems, counter-UAS solutions, and directed-energy systems, including the LOCUST laser weapon system.

Major companies operating in the laser weapon systems market are Raytheon Technologies Corporation, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Leidos Holdings Inc., Elbit Systems Ltd., General Atomics, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems, BlueHalo, Saab, Jilin Ruikd Medical Photoelectric Technology Co. Ltd, Xi'an Lonn M&E Equipment Co. Ltd, Guangzhou Futai Beauty Equipment Co. Ltd, Leonardo, Thales Group, CILAS, MBDA, Kalashnikov Group, Almaz-Antey, United Aircraft Corporation, Tactical Missiles Corporation, Uralvagonzavod, Applied Technology Associates, Alma Lasers Ltd, Laser Ammo, Sarine Technologies Ltd, Meprolight, STI Laser Industries, NeoLaser, Zmed Laser, ARIEL Photonics Assembly, LaserOp, LASER FZCO, Matrix Laser, Trotec laser, Digi Matrix Technologies.

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

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 are impacting the laser weapon systems market by increasing the cost of critical components such as optical materials, semiconductor modules, precision laser assemblies, and defense-grade electronics, leading to higher production expenses and longer procurement cycles. These tariffs most significantly affect high-energy laser systems, laser designators, and LiDAR units, with regions like North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific experiencing varying degrees of supply chain delays. Space-based and air-based segments are particularly vulnerable due to reliance on specialized imported components. However, tariffs have also encouraged domestic manufacturing expansion and technological self-reliance, creating new opportunities for localized production and innovation.

The market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides laser weapon systems market statistics, including laser weapon systems industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a laser weapon systems market share, detailed laser weapon systems market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the laser weapon systems industry. This laser weapon systems 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.

Laser weapon systems are directed-energy weapons based on lasers, generating high-energy pulses for impacting the target. These weapons operate on the principle of light amplification through stimulated radiation emission (LASER).

The main types of products in laser weapon systems include laser designators, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), 3D laser scanning, laser range finders, ring laser gyros, and laser altimeters. A laser designator is a type of laser weapons system that enables the designation or surveillance squad to target laser-guided munitions. Different technologies employed in these systems include solid-state laser, chemical laser, free-electron laser, chemical oxygen-iodine laser, tactical high-energy laser, and others. Laser weapon systems are used in air-based, ground-based, and sea-based operations.

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

The laser weapon systems market consists of sales of high energy laser weapon systems, and high-powered microwaves. 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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