Military Helicopters Market Report 2025

The military helicopters market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $47.16 billion in 2024 to $50.4 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing military expenditure, increasing demand for lightweight helicopters, demand for attack and transport helicopters and low interest rates.

The military helicopters market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $62.41 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to an increase in territorial and political conflicts, rapid advances in technology and increasingly advanced military helicopters. Major trends in the forecast period include implementing technological advancements and development such as dynamics modeling and, fly by wire controls into lightweight helicopter products, integrating IoT systems, implementing artificial intelligence technology, consider using 3d printing technology to manufacture lightweight parts at low costs, consider adopting to single engine operative mode for helicopters to reduce noise, implementing autonomous system and improve helicopter maintenance.

The rise in military expenditure has fueled the growth of the military helicopter market. For example, in April 2024, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Sweden-based non-governmental organization, reported that global military spending reached $2.44 trillion in 2023, reflecting a 6.8% increase in real terms compared to 2022. This growth in military expenditure has resulted in heightened procurement of warships, submarines, aircraft, and helicopters, consequently generating higher revenues for the military helicopter market.

The proliferation of drone usage is expected to further propel the growth of the military helicopter market. Drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) without human pilots, are often employed for surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering. This complements the role of military helicopters, which are deployed for diverse purposes such as troop transport, cargo delivery, search and rescue, and combat missions. The synergy between drones and helicopters enhances the comprehensiveness of military operations. As of August 2023, more than 863,000 drones were registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), showcasing the rising prominence of drone technology and its impact on the military helicopter market.

Technological advancements in helicopter manufacturing processes are playing a pivotal role in shaping the military helicopter market. The industry is witnessing substantial transformations with advancements such as additive manufacturing, computational structural dynamics modeling, fly-by-wire controls, condition-based maintenance (CBM), health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS), and advanced turbine engine programs. These innovations promise significant advancements in rotorcraft capabilities. For instance, Israel-based Steadicopter Ltd. launched the Black Eagle 50H in February 2022, featuring a hybrid gas-electric power system with an extended range of up to five hours, making it suitable for various applications in intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) on land and sea.

Major companies in the military helicopter market are introducing new products, including combat-capable helicopters, to expand their customer bases, increase sales, and boost revenue. Combat-capable helicopters, or attack helicopters, are specifically designed and equipped for offensive operations in combat scenarios. In April 2023, Airbus unveiled the H125 military configurations, known as AH-125 and MH-125 Ares. While the AH-125 Ares is designed as the armed variant, the MH-125 Ares serves as a multi-role helicopter capable of performing diverse activities, contributing to the extensive lineup of military helicopters offered by Airbus.

Major companies operating in the military helicopters market include The Boeing Company, Airbus, Russian Helicopters, Lockheed Martin, Leonardo SpA, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, Textron Inc., BAE Systems, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation, TATA Advanced Systems, Korea Aerospace Industries, Kawasaki Aerospace Company, NHIndustries, Kazan Helicopters, MD Helicopters, Inc., Kaman Aircraft, Cicaré S.A., Embraer S.A., Empresa Nacional de Aeronautica (ENAER), Calidus LLC, Israel Aerospace Industries, Denel Aerostructures (Pty) Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the military helicopters market in 2024. Western Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global military helicopters market share during the forecast period. The regions covered in the military helicopters market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the military helicopters market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Canada, Spain.

The military aircraft market consists of sales of aircraft with weapons, artillery tanks, and radar equipment for military purposes. 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.

A military aircraft is an aircraft specifically designed or adapted for military missions, which can include tasks such as troop transport, combat search and rescue (CSAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), serving as an airborne command post, or being armed with weapons for ground target attacks.

The primary types of military helicopters are light military helicopters, medium military helicopters, and heavy military helicopters. Various components and systems used in military helicopters include airframes, main rotor systems, anti-torque systems, electrical systems, hydraulic systems, avionics, stability augmentation systems, flight control systems, undercarriages, environmental control systems, emergency services, special-purpose systems, and engines. The number of engines can be single or twin. Military helicopters serve various applications, including utility military helicopters, transport military helicopters, attack/assault military helicopters, search and rescue military helicopters, multi-role military helicopters, and reconnaissance and observation military helicopters. Utility military helicopters are highly versatile aircraft capable of performing a range of missions, from reconnaissance and attack to transport and evacuation.

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

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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