Directed Energy Weapons Market Report 2026

The directed energy weapons market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $8.72 billion in 2025 to $10.75 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to early development of high-energy laser systems for precision targeting and area denial, increasing military investment in microwave-based directed energy technologies to counter drones and electronic threats, prototype deployment of particle beam and plasma systems for testing advanced defensive capabilities, rising demand for non-kinetic weapons to reduce collateral damage in combat operations, growth in research programs focused on power generation and thermal management for directed energy platforms.

The directed energy weapons market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $23.83 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expanding integration of directed energy systems, increasing investment in high-power laser technologies to counter next-generation aerial and missile threats, rising demand for scalable microwave weapons for electronic disruption and anti-drone missions, continued advancement in particle beam and plasma weapon research to achieve higher range and precision, growing adoption of compact power and cooling solutions enabling fieldable directed energy weapon systems. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in high-energy laser systems for precision targeting, growing adoption of microwave-based non-lethal deterrent systems, increased development of compact and mobile directed energy platforms, rising integration of particle beam technologies for next-generation weaponry, expansion of multi-role directed energy systems for both offensive and defensive missions.

The increasing modernization and investment in military platforms are driving the growth of the directed energy weapons market. A global power struggle is ongoing, necessitating modernization and enhanced investment in military and defense capabilities. Every nation aims to maintain its dominance and compete effectively, leading them to adopt advanced and modern weapons, including directed energy weapons. For example, in April 2024, Truthout, a California-based non-profit organization, reported that global military expenditure reached a record high of $916 billion in 2023, reflecting a 2.3 percent increase compared to the previous year. China alone invested an estimated $296 billion in its military. Additionally, data on U.S. military spending in 2023 indicated that militarized programs accounted for 62% of the nation's federal discretionary budget, leaving less than half for domestic priorities such as healthcare, housing, nutrition assistance, and education. Therefore, such military and defense investments are expected to drive the directed energy weapons market forward.

Major players in the directed energy weapons market are strategically forming partnerships to drive revenue growth and enhance their market presence. These collaborations provide opportunities for directed energy weapons firms to access complementary technologies, expand their market reach, and foster innovation, thereby gaining a competitive advantage. An example of this strategic approach is evident in the collaboration between BAE Systems PLC, a UK-based security and aerospace company, and Thales UK, a UK-based aerospace and defense company. This collaboration, known as Project Tracey, was established in 2023 with the aim of developing the Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) capability as part of the UK Ministry of Defence’s Novel Weapons Program. The project focuses on creating and testing advanced prototypes for the Royal Navy, including user trials on a Type 23 frigate starting in 2023. The LDEW system is designed for detecting, tracking, engaging, and defending against Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The consortium leading the laser technology aspect of this initiative includes BAE Systems, Chess Dynamics, Vision4CE, and IPG. BAE Systems will support Thales UK as the platform and combat system integrator, leveraging their expertise in synthetic training, modeling, combat systems, and platform integration to position the Royal Navy at the forefront of operational integration of these innovative weapons.

In May 2024, EDGE, a defense company based in the UAE, acquired CONDOR Non-Lethal Technologies for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is intended to strengthen EDGE's portfolio in the defense sector by incorporating CONDOR Non-Lethal Technologies' innovative solutions, thereby enhancing its capabilities in delivering advanced non-lethal defense systems and broadening its market presence within the security and defense landscape. CONDOR Non-Lethal Technologies is a Brazil-based firm that produces defense equipment.

Major companies operating in the directed energy weapons market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Company, Boeing Co., BAE Systems PLC, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Rheinmetall AG, Thales Group, Leonardo S.p.A., QinetiQ, General Atomics, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Dynetics Inc., Kord Technologies Inc., Applied Research Associates Inc., BlueHalo LLC, Radiance Technologies Inc., Saab AB, Textron Inc., Moog Inc., Elbit Systems Ltd., Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc.

North America was the largest region in the directed energy weapons market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the directed energy weapons 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 influencing the directed energy weapons market by increasing the cost of importing specialized components such as high-performance lasers, advanced semiconductors, power modules, and precision optical assemblies. These added expenses particularly affect segments involving high-energy laser systems and microwave-based weapons, with regions dependent on international supply chains such as North America and Europe experiencing the strongest disruption. While tariffs raise production costs and extend deployment timelines, they also stimulate domestic manufacturing, localized sourcing, and regional defense technology innovation, ultimately offering long-term strategic advantages for self-reliant defense ecosystems.

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

Directed energy weapons are systems that employ energy directly to disable, harm, or destroy enemy facilities, equipment, and troops. These weapons utilize technologies that focus electromagnetic energy or generate atomic or subatomic particles. High-powered radio frequency or microwave devices, charged or neutral particle beam weapons, and high-energy lasers are examples of directed energy weapons.

These weapons can be classified into two main types such as lethal weapons and non-lethal weapons. Lethal weapons encompass firearms or devices capable of causing significant physical harm or death, including nuclear weapons, rifles, submarines, and others. The technologies involved in lethal directed energy weapons include high-energy lasers, high-power microwave systems, electromagnetic devices, and sonic technologies. These weapons are deployed by land, airborne, and naval military and defense forces.

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

The directed energy weapons market consists of sales of particle beam and plasma. 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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