Military Transport Aircraft Global Market Report 2024

Military transport aircraft are military-owned planes utilized to support diverse operations, including aerial refueling, intelligence-gathering, rescue missions, and the transportation of military cargo, troops, vehicles, and more. These aircraft boast extensive cargo storage capacity, enabling the transportation of a wide range of items. Notably, they are designed to efficiently transport military tanks, small trucks, and armed vehicles from military bases to specified locations without excessive human effort.

The primary categories of military transport aircraft are fixed-wing and rotorcraft. Fixed-wing aircraft, which are either propeller-driven or jet engine-powered, have wings that remain stationary during flight. They are particularly suitable for longer travel distances compared to rotary-wing aircraft, as they can cover greater distances before requiring refueling. These aircraft are classified based on their payloads, including below 50 tons, 51 to 100 tons, and 101 tons and above. The applications of military transport aircraft are diverse and encompass transportation, emergency services, combat operations, command and control, surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance.

The military transport aircraft market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides military transport aircraft market statistics, including military transport aircraft industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a military transport aircraft market share, detailed military transport aircraft market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the military transport aircraft industry. This military transport aircraft 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 military transport aircraft market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $32.8 billion in 2023 to $36.23 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.4%. The historical growth can be attributed to factors such as the development of strategic airlift capabilities, engagement in humanitarian missions, enhancement of tactical mobility, efficient troop and cargo transport, and the facilitation of aerial refueling operations.

The military transport aircraft market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $51.8 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to advancements in autonomous cargo handling, an increased focus on sustainability initiatives, the enhancement of capabilities for medical evacuations, the facilitation of paratroop drops, and the implementation of joint operations. Key trends expected in the forecast period encompass the adoption of electrification and hybrid propulsion, the integration of advanced avionics, the promotion of modularity and payload flexibility, efforts towards achieving stealth and reduced radar signature, and an emphasis on international collaborations and partnerships.

The anticipated surge in demand for rotorcraft airplanes is poised to drive the expansion of the military transport aircraft market during the forecast period. As tensions escalate among various nations globally, countries are actively seeking to bolster their capabilities in aerial combat and support, particularly in times of war or enemy attacks. To achieve this, nations are strategically planning to upgrade their military rotorcraft airplane fleets by incorporating highly functional and advanced aircraft, aiming to strengthen their military dominance. A notable example occurred in September 2021 when the Indian Ministry of Defence revealed plans to procure fifty-six C-295MW transport aircraft from M/s Airbus Defence and Space S.A., Spain, for the Indian Air Force. The C-295MW, characterized by a 5-10 ton capacity and contemporary technology, is intended to replace the aging Avro aircraft within the IAF. Consequently, the increasing demand for rotorcraft airplanes stands as a key driver propelling the growth of the military transport aircraft market.

The anticipated increase in military expenditure is poised to drive the growth of the military transport aircraft market in the foreseeable future. Military expenditure encompasses the financial resources that a nation allocates to support its armed forces and defense activities, with military transport aircraft playing a crucial role in facilitating the movement of troops and equipment. As an illustration, in April 2022, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported a 0.7% rise in global military spending for the year 2021, reaching a total of $2113 billion. The top five countries contributing the highest military spending during that period were the United States, China, India, the United Kingdom, and Russia, collectively constituting 62% of the total expenditure. Consequently, the upward trend in military expenditure emerges as a driving force for the military transport aircraft market.

The rapid advancement of technology in air transportation services stands out as a prominent trend in the military transport aircraft sector. Major companies engaged in military transport aircraft are strategically focusing on the development of innovative technological solutions to reinforce their standing in the market. These companies are actively incorporating cutting-edge technologies, including Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Automation, Robotics, and other emerging technologies, to explore futuristic and alternative modes of travel. A case in point is Airbus SE, a prominent manufacturer and seller of civil and military aerospace products, which, in April 2022, introduced a next-generation systems-of-systems architecture called the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). This system features a sophisticated Multi-Domain Combat Cloud (MDCC), characterized by its high-tech, decentralized, cyber-resilient, and collaborative information network that leverages cloud-based technologies.

Major players in the military transport aircraft market are presenting advanced transport aircraft like the C-390 Millennium to showcase the enhanced capabilities of a modern, multi-mission tactical air transport aircraft. The C-390 Millennium, a next-generation military tactical transport aircraft, was featured by Embraer, a Brazil-based aircraft manufacturer and seller, at Aero India 2023 in February 2023. This 21st-century aircraft is known for its versatility, excelling in refueling, cargo and troop transportation, medical evacuation, and search & rescue missions. Embraer's exhibit at the event also highlighted their Defense & Security portfolio, which includes the A-29 Super Tucano, P600 AEW&C, and radar & border surveillance solutions.

In January 2022, Leonardo, an aerospace company based in Italy, completed the acquisition of Hensoldt for €606 million. Through this strategic move, Leonardo aims to establish a lasting presence in the rapidly growing German defense market, reinforcing their longstanding partnership and meeting the advanced requirements of international and domestic customers across air, naval, and land domains. Hensoldt, based in Germany, specializes in sensor technologies for protection and surveillance missions in the defense, security, and aerospace sectors.

Major companies operating in the military transport aircraft market include Airbus SE, Textron Aviation Inc., Rostec Corp., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Embraer SA, Boeing Company, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Leonardo S.p.A., Ukrainian Aircraft Corporation, Ilyushin Aviation Complex, Alenia Aermacchi SpA, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., EADS CASA, Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation, United Aircraft Corporation, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bombardier Inc., Antonov Corporation, China Aviation Industry Corporation, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, Aircraft Industries Ltd., CNIM Air Space, Boeing Defense Space & Security, Taqnia Aeronautics, Collins Aerospace, Hellenic Aerospace Industry SA, Korea Aerospace Industries SA, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, ST Engineering Aerospace

North America was the largest region in the military transport aircraft market in 2023. Middle East is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the military transport aircraft market analysis report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, and Africa.

The countries covered in the military transport aircraft market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK and USA.

The military transport aircraft market consists of sales of military transport aircraft components such as airframe structure, mechanical system, engine, and avionics. 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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