Non-Lethal Weapons Market Report 2026

The non-lethal weapons market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $8.89 billion in 2025 to $9.65 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing adoption of non-lethal tools for riot control and law enforcement operations, growth in deployment of tear gas and pepper spray for crowd management, early development of electric-shock devices as alternatives to lethal force, rising demand for rubber and plastic bullets to reduce permanent harm in conflict situations, expansion of acoustic and water cannon systems for perimeter security and area denial.

The non-lethal weapons market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $12.88 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing investment in advanced non-lethal technologies with improved accuracy and safety, rising demand for scalable force options in military and peacekeeping missions, increasing integration of smart targeting and monitoring features in non-lethal weapon systems, development of more compact and lightweight non-lethal devices for improved mobility, expanding use of non-lethal solutions in urban security and critical infrastructure protection. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for advanced crowd-control tools, increased adoption of compact and multi-functional non-lethal weapons, growing preference for chemical-free and low-toxicity alternatives, enhanced deployment of acoustic and light-based deterrent devices, shift toward safer civilian self-defense solutions.

The rise in political disputes and civil unrest is driving the growth of the non-lethal weapons (NLW) market in the coming years. Civil unrest refers to situations in which multiple individuals gather in response to an event with the intent to cause public disruption. This can involve riots, armed resistance against authorities, border violations, violent protests, arson, looting, or the occupation of institutional buildings, excluding peaceful demonstrations. Political disputes, violence, and civil unrest are increasing worldwide, creating greater demand for protection systems such as non-lethal weapons. For example, in July 2024, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a US-based nonprofit organization, reported that between July 2023 and June 2024, more than 165,273 incidents of political violence occurred globally, representing a 15% increase from the prior year. During this period, it was estimated that roughly one in seven people worldwide were affected by conflict. Therefore, the growing intensity of political disputes and civil unrest has contributed to the expansion of the non-lethal weapons market.

Companies operating in the non-lethal weapons market are focusing on developing innovative products such as non-lethal projectile guns to offer safer, less lethal options for crowd control, self-defense, and law enforcement. Non-lethal projectile guns fire impact or irritant projectiles - such as rubber bullets or pepper balls - that incapacitate or deter targets without inflicting permanent harm, helping both civilians and law enforcement manage threats while reducing the likelihood of lethal outcomes. For example, in March 2023, Guard Dog Security, a US-based security solutions company, introduced the Fireball, a non-lethal projectile gun capable of firing pepper balls, chalk balls, and rubber projectiles up to approximately 60 feet. The device was developed to provide a safer alternative for self-defense and crowd management, minimizing reliance on deadly force. The company emphasized affordability, with prices starting at $99, and highlighted the Fireball’s versatility for personal protection and mitigating potentially dangerous situations.

In October 2023, Day & Zimmermann LLC, a US-based company, acquired Combined Systems Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is intended to expand Day & Zimmermann’s portfolio by integrating Combined Systems’ expertise in non-lethal weapon solutions. Combined Systems Inc. is a US-based provider of non-lethal weapons.

Major companies operating in the non-lethal weapons market are Armament Systems & Procedures Inc., Amtec Less-Lethal Systems Inc., Lamperd Less Lethal Inc., Combined Systems Inc., FN Herstal S.A., ALS Less-Lethal Systems Inc., Axon Enterprise Inc., Condor Non-Lethal Technologies, ISPRA by Ei Ltd., Nonlethal Technologies Inc., Pepperball Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Rheinmentall AG, Safariland LLC, United Tactical Systems LLC, Zarc International Inc., BAE Systems Inc., Bruzer Less Lethal, Byrna Technologies Inc., Genasys Inc., Mace Security International Inc., Mission Less Lethal Technologies, PACEM Solutions International, First Defense Technologies, RUAG Group, SABRE Red Inc.

North America was the largest region in the non-lethal weapons market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the non-lethal weapons market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the non-lethal 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 non-lethal weapons market by increasing the cost of key components such as electronic modules, chemical agents, polymers, and metal housings, disrupting supply chains across major producing regions. These impacts are most evident in electroshock devices, impact munitions, and chemical-based weapons, particularly in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific where cross-border sourcing is high. While tariffs elevate manufacturing costs and slow procurement cycles, they also stimulate domestic production, encourage localized material sourcing, and drive technological innovation toward cost-efficient and sustainable non-lethal weapon systems.

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

Non-lethal weapons (NLW) are explicitly designed tools, devices, and munitions primarily intended for promptly incapacitating targeted personnel or material, all while minimizing casualties, damage to the environment or property, and harm to individuals. They serve as a less harmful alternative to traditional weapons or in situations where a certain degree of force is necessary.

The principal types of non-lethal weapons encompass gases and sprays, grenades, bullets, tasers, and others. A 'spray' refers to a mobile collection of drips dispersed throughout a gas. The carrier gas used to deliver the powder consumable is typically an inert gas such as argon or nitrogen. Technologies involved include chemicals, electroshock, mechanical and kinetic forces, acoustics, light, and others. End users of these weapons include law enforcement agencies, military forces, and civilians.

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

The non-lethal weapons market consists of sales of pepper spray, tear gas, electric-shock weapons, rubber and plastic bullets, water cannon, and acoustic weapons. 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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