High Energy Lasers Market Report 2026

The high energy lasers market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $19.98 billion in 2025 to $23.47 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing defense modernization programs globally, rising adoption of directed energy systems for counter-UAS applications, increased research funding in high-energy laser physics and materials, early deployment of chemical and free-electron laser prototypes, expansion of industrial laser manufacturing capabilities.

The high energy lasers market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $42.92 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for precision engagement and collateral-free targeting, increasing integration of high-energy lasers into land naval and airborne platforms, advancements in solid-state and fiber-laser efficiency and thermal management, scaling of commercial production to reduce system cost per kilowatt, strengthening government programs supporting operational fielding of directed-energy weapons. Major trends in the forecast period include development of compact high energy laser architectures, growing demand for line-of-sight precision engagement systems, increased focus on thermal-based target neutralization technologies, advancements in beam control and stability mechanisms, rising adoption of high-efficiency q-switched and chemical lasers.

Increasing defense budgets are expected to drive the growth of the high-energy laser market going forward. Defense budgets refer to the financial resources allocated by governments to support their military and defense operations. These budgets are rising due to various factors, including geopolitical tensions, modernization programs, economic expansion, and growing public and political backing. Defense budgets provide essential funding for the research and development of high-energy laser technologies, supporting innovations that enhance their efficiency and potential uses. They also enable military organizations to procure these systems, which are vital for modern warfare and offer long-term cost savings compared to traditional munitions. For example, in August 2024, according to the United States Department of Defense, a U.S.-based government department, the Department of Defense allocated $1.94 trillion in FY 2024, up from $1.52 trillion in FY 2023. Therefore, increasing defense budgets are contributing to the growth of the high-energy laser market.

Key companies in the high-energy laser market are focusing on utilizing innovative technologies, such as 360° coverage laser systems, to detect, track, and neutralize aerial threats with precision. These systems can engage threats from all directions, providing full-area protection and enabling rapid detection and neutralization from any angle. For instance, in September 2025, Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited (EOS), an Australia-based technology company, introduced a high-energy laser weapon designed to counter drones, disrupt their sensors at long range, and deliver scalable, precise defense capabilities for military forces in high-threat environments. The system is designed for standalone use or integration within layered defense networks, including missile-based solutions and kinetic effectors, allowing for adaptable and flexible protection. With features such as unlimited shots when externally powered and the ability to store multiple engagements while isolated, these technologies represent a major advancement in defense readiness, offering militaries a reliable and cost-effective method to counter modern aerial threats.

In March 2025, Laserax Inc., a Canada-based machine industry company, acquired DPSS Lasers Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enables Laserax to expand its technological capabilities in ultraviolet (UV) laser systems, accelerate innovation in high-precision laser technologies, and broaden its product offerings to better support a wide range of industrial applications, including electronics manufacturing, medical device production, and aerospace components. DPSS Lasers Inc. is a U.S.-based manufacturing company that provides high-energy lasers.

Major companies operating in the high energy lasers market are Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Boeing, BAE Systems, L3Harris Technologies, Elbit Systems, Thales Group, Leonardo S.p.A., General Dynamics, SAAB, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Amentum, TRUMPF, Coherent, QinetiQ, Rheinmetall, Han's Laser Technology, Kongsberg Gruppen, Hypertherm, GSI Group, Lasertec, IPG Photonics, Solid State Laser, EdgeWave.

North America was the largest region in the high energy lasers market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the high energy lasers 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 on optical components, rare-earth materials, and advanced semiconductor modules are elevating production costs for high energy lasers and creating delays in sourcing precision optics and laser subsystems. Solid-state and fiber laser categories are most affected, especially in regions dependent on imports across North America and Europe. Industrial and defense applications face longer procurement cycles and higher deployment costs. At the same time, tariffs are encouraging domestic production, fostering regional supply chain resilience, and supporting innovation in cost-optimized high energy laser technologies.

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

High-energy lasers (HEL) are designed to operate at power levels lower than their maximum rating, allowing for adaptability in terms of mission and limitations based on the target impact. These lasers are employed to deliver heat to the surface of a target, and their operational aspects include being line-of-sight systems, requiring visibility of the target. The time of flight for the laser beam is minimal, and it transmits thermal energy to a target's surface over a non-negligible time scale.

The main types of high-energy lasers include gas lasers, fiber lasers, solid-state lasers, and excimer lasers. Gas lasers are utilized in long-distance or remote sensing systems as general-purpose generators of intense and coherent light. In high-power CO2 lasers, gas is rapidly circulated through mechanisms like forced convection or fast flow. These lasers find applications in various fields such as cutting, welding, drilling, military and defense, as well as communications.

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

The high energy laser market consists of sales of free electron laser, chemical laser and Q-switched laser. 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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