Military Transport Aircraft Market Report 2026

The military transport aircraft market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $38.92 billion in 2025 to $42.45 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of global military logistics and airlift requirements, increasing replacement of aging transport fleets with modernized platforms, advancements in heavy-lift airframe and engine design, rising deployment of transport aircraft in humanitarian and disaster-relief missions, integration of upgraded avionics and mechanical systems to enhance mission reliability.

The military transport aircraft market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $57.43 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for multi-role transport aircraft with aerial refueling and intelligence capabilities, rising defense spending to expand strategic and tactical airlift capacity, advancements in lightweight materials to improve payload efficiency, development of next-generation engines for enhanced range and fuel performance, increasing procurement of modular transport aircraft to support diverse mission profiles. Major trends in the forecast period include enhanced cargo handling systems, multi-role modular aircraft design, advanced avionics and navigation systems, high-efficiency engine technologies, lightweight and durable airframe structures.

The rising global tensions between neighboring countries are anticipated to drive the growth of the military transport aircraft market in the coming years. Global tension refers to heightened political, economic, or social strains between nations or regions, often stemming from conflicts of interest, competition for resources, or ideological differences, which can lead to instability or conflict. Factors contributing to increasing global tensions include geopolitical conflicts, economic competition, resource scarcity, climate change, and rising nationalism, all of which intensify divisions and disputes among nations. Military transport aircraft play a vital role during such global tensions by facilitating the rapid deployment of troops, equipment, and supplies to conflict zones, enhancing logistical support, and ensuring operational readiness for humanitarian missions and defense strategies. For instance, in May 2023, a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a Sweden-based nonprofit organization promoting the use of digital technology in academia, revealed that 64 multinational peace operations were conducted in 38 nations and territories worldwide in 2022, the highest number of operations in a single year over the past decade. By the end of 2022, there were 114,984 international personnel involved in multilateral peace operations globally, reflecting a 2.79 percent increase from the previous year. Thus, the rising global tensions between neighboring countries are fueling the growth of the military transport aircraft market.

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 October 2025, Embraer S.A., a Brazil-based aerospace corporation, partnered with Mahindra & Mahindra to develop regional air mobility solutions in India. This partnership aims to position India as a manufacturing and support hub for the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, promoting self-reliance in defense manufacturing, supporting the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft program, and strengthening India’s aerospace ecosystem through localized production, assembly, and maintenance operations. Mahindra & Mahindra is a U.S.-based manufacturing company that provides military transport aircraft.

Major companies operating in the military transport aircraft market are 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., 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 2025. Middle East is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the military transport aircraft 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 military transport aircraft components have influenced the market by increasing costs for engines, avionics, and airframe structures, affecting segments like fixed-wing and rotorcraft aircraft. Regions including North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, where production and assembly hubs are concentrated, are most impacted. While tariffs pose supply chain challenges and higher manufacturing costs, they also incentivize local production, innovation in modular aircraft designs, and strengthening of regional defense manufacturing capabilities, creating potential strategic advantages.

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.

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

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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