Stealth Warfare Market Report 2026

The stealth warfare market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $13.33 billion in 2025 to $14.68 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased adoption of radar-absorbing materials such as carbon fibers and carbon black particles in military aircraft, advancements in composite manufacturing techniques improving stealth performance, rising defense investments in low-observable technologies for missiles and air platforms, development of early stealth coatings and structures to reduce radar cross-section, expansion of research into carbon nanotube applications for electromagnetic signature reduction.

The stealth warfare market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $20.75 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for next-generation stealth materials enhancing multi-spectral signature suppression, increasing integration of advanced composites into unmanned and hypersonic platforms, advancements in carbon-nanotube-based structures to improve durability and stealth efficiency, rising defense modernization programs requiring upgraded stealth components, expansion of industrial production capabilities for high-performance stealth materials to meet platform-level procurement needs. Major trends in the forecast period include increased use of advanced radar-absorbing materials in stealth platforms, development of multi-spectral stealth technologies for aircraft, naval, and ground vehicles, integration of acoustic signature reduction systems for submarines and surface vessels, adoption of lightweight non-metallic airframe materials to enhance stealth performance, expansion of irst (infrared search and track) systems for detection evasion.

The increasing year-on-year military expenditure is expected to drive the growth of the stealth warfare market going forward. Military expenditure refers to the total spending by a national government on its armed forces, including the army, navy, and air force, for defense and peacekeeping activities. Stealth warfare involves technology that enables near-undetectable movement of personnel or vehicles used in combat. As military spending rises, the demand for advanced military technologies such as stealth warfare systems increases. For example, in April 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Sweden-based institute, U.S. military spending reached $916 billion in 2023, marking a 2.3% increase compared to 2022. Therefore, rising military expenditure is driving the growth of the stealth warfare market.

The rise in geopolitical tensions is also expected to drive the growth of the stealth warfare market. Geopolitical tensions refer to risks associated with conflicts or actions between nations that disrupt peaceful international relations. As countries face heightened security threats and seek to maintain strategic advantages, they increasingly invest in advanced stealth technologies, including stealth aircraft, submarines, and ground vehicles designed to operate covertly and gain tactical superiority in contested environments. For instance, in July 2024, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, more than 165,273 incidents of political violence were reported worldwide between July 2023 and June 2024, representing a 15% increase from the previous year. During this period, an estimated one in seven people globally were affected by conflict. Therefore, escalating geopolitical tensions are contributing to the growth of the stealth warfare market.

Major companies in the stealth warfare market are focusing on developing innovative products such as autonomous vertical-take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed combat aircraft to enhance mission flexibility, reduce pilot risk, and maintain operational superiority in contested environments. Autonomous VTOL uncrewed combat aircraft are advanced drones capable of taking off, hovering, and landing without the need for runways, relying on onboard AI for navigation and mission execution. These systems enable stealth operations, surveillance, and precision strikes while reducing risk to human pilots and allowing deployment from remote or mobile platforms. For example, in October 2025, Shield AI Inc., a U.S.-based defense technology company, introduced X-BAT, an autonomous VTOL stealth loyal wingman aircraft powered by the company’s Hivemind AI pilot. The aircraft can operate without a runway, is designed for heavily contested airspace, and can support manned jets by performing strike, reconnaissance, or electronic-warfare missions. Its design features include a VTOL airframe optimized for ship or expeditionary launch, autonomy software enabling GPS- and communication-denied navigation, and a flexible payload configuration for multiple mission types. The X-BAT can be deployed from ships, islands, or container vessels, switch between loitering, strike, and ISR roles, and coordinate with manned aircraft. Key capabilities include full autonomy, runway independence, expanded payload and range (reportedly up to 2,000 nautical miles), and an attritable yet high-performance design.

Major companies operating in the stealth warfare market are Toray Industries, Inc., Hexcel Corporation, Teijin Limited, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, SGL Carbon SE, DowAksa Advanced Composites, Kureha Corporation, Zoltek Corporation, Nippon Graphite Fiber Co., Ltd., HS Hyosung Advanced Materials, Zhongfu Shenying Carbon Fiber Co., Ltd., Jiangsu Hengshen Co., Ltd., Formosa Plastics Corporation, Solvay SA, Rock West Composites, Protech Composites, Carbon Composites Inc., Carbon Light Private Ltd., MRC, Syensqo, Toho Tenax Co., Ltd., Owens Corning, Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd., Umatex, China Composites Group Corporation Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the stealth wealth market in 2025. Rest of the world is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the stealth warfare 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 stealth warfare materials and specialized equipment have increased production costs and delayed deployment, particularly affecting air force and naval programs in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions. The impact is most pronounced in radar and IRST system manufacturing, as well as radar-absorbing material production. Positive effects include incentivizing domestic manufacturing, encouraging investment in local R&D, and accelerating innovation in advanced stealth technologies.

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

Stealth warfare involves the utilization of military technology known as stealth technology, which diminishes the detectability range of individuals or vehicles. This type of warfare is employed to create military vehicles or missiles, particularly in aircraft, using advanced technology.

The key components in stealth warfare encompass radar, infrared search and track (IRST) systems, and acoustic signatures. Radar is a technique for identifying distant objects and analyzing reflected waves to ascertain their speed, position, material composition, or other characteristics. Diverse materials, such as non-metallic airframes and radar-absorbing materials, are used. Applications of stealth warfare extend to the air force, navy, and army.

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

The stealth warfare market consists of sales of stealth warfare products such as carbon fibers, carbon black particles and carbon nanotubes. 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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