Recoilless Rifle Market Report 2026

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.

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