Non-Lethal Biochemical Weapons Market Report 2026

The non-lethal biochemical weapons market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.32 billion in 2025 to $2.52 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing demand for incapacitating systems supporting crowd control and peacekeeping operations, early development of scent-based agents designed to disrupt hostile personnel without causing injury, adoption of acoustic deterrent devices by military and law enforcement agencies, rising need for non-lethal options to minimize collateral damage in urban environments, growth in research on biochemical mechanisms enabling temporary incapacitation.

The non-lethal biochemical weapons market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.41 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing investment in advanced non-lethal technologies enhancing precision and controllability, increasing adoption of directed acoustic systems for perimeter security and area denial, rising requirement for scalable non-lethal solutions in asymmetric and humanitarian missions, development of next-generation biochemical formulations with improved safety and effectiveness, expanding integration of non-lethal capabilities into military and law enforcement modernization programs. Major trends in the forecast period include growth in scent-based (olfactory) crowd-management technologies, rising deployment of acoustic and directed-energy deterrent systems for perimeter security, integration of sensors and telemetry for remote monitoring and effect control, demand for modular, non-lethal payloads for unmanned platforms (uav/ugv integration), emphasis on legal-compliance, humane-use features, and traceability in product design.

Increasing military expenditure is expected to support the growth of the non-lethal biochemical weapons market in the coming years. Military expenditure refers to the funds allocated for weapons, weapon systems, operations, maintenance, personnel, and other military-related equipment. Government spending on defense contributes to the development of various sectors within the military market, including non-lethal biochemical weapons. For example, in October 2025, the UK Parliament's House of Commons Library reported that defense spending outlined in the 2025 Spending Review is projected to reach USD 83.3 billion (£62.2 billion) in 2025/26 and rise to USD 98.2 billion (£73.5 billion) by 2028/29, reflecting an average annual real-terms growth rate of 3.8%. Therefore, the increase in military expenditure is driving the non-lethal biochemical weapons market.

Terrorist attacks are also expected to contribute to the growth of the non-lethal biochemical weapons market. Terrorist attacks are deliberate and violent acts intended to instill fear, often involving the use of force or threats against civilians or governments to advance political, ideological, or religious objectives. Non-lethal biochemical weapons may be used in such attacks to incapacitate or create panic without causing immediate fatalities, posing risks to public safety and security. For instance, in September 2025, the Home Office, a UK government department, reported that in the year ending 30 June 2025, 83 individuals were prosecuted for terrorism-related offenses, an increase of five compared to the previous year. Therefore, the threat of terrorist attacks is contributing to the demand for non-lethal biochemical weapons.

Major companies in the non-lethal biochemical weapons market are introducing advancements such as non-lethal pepper bullet guns to enhance crowd-control capabilities and provide law enforcement with safer tools for restraining suspects. A non-lethal pepper bullet gun is a device designed to fire projectiles containing a pepper-based irritant, such as oleoresin capsicum (OC), derived from hot peppers. For example, in March 2023, Guard Dog Security, a US-based company, launched a non-lethal pepper bullet gun capable of accurately delivering projectiles at distances of up to 150 feet, enabling users to maintain a safe distance from potential threats. The device can fire multiple rounds without frequent reloading, improving its effectiveness in rapidly evolving situations. It also includes a quick-puncture CO₂ system that supports fast firing and easy reloading, allowing users to respond promptly during incidents.

Major companies operating in the non-lethal biochemical weapons market are Lamperd Less Lethal Inc., BAE Systems Inc., QinetiqGroup Inc., General Dynamics Corporation, Raytheon Company, Chemring Group plc, Textron Systems Corp., ALS Less-Lethal Systems Inc., ASP Inc., Combined Systems Inc., Condor Non-Lethal Technologies, ISPRA by Ei Ltd., Rheinmentall AG, Safariland LLC, Zarc International Inc., Genasys Inc., Axon Enterprise Inc., Bruzer Less Lethal, PACEM Solutions International, Mace Security International Inc., Fabrique Nationale Herstal, Mission Less Lethal Technologies, NonLethal Technologies Inc., Herstal SA, PepperBall Technologies Inc., AMTEC Less-Lethal Systems Inc., Byrna Technologies Inc., UTS United Tactical Systems LLC, Fiocchi Munizioni S.p.A., RUAG International Holding Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the non-lethal biochemical weapons market in 2025. The regions covered in the non-lethal biochemical 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 raise import costs for key components used in non-lethal biochemical and acoustic systems (specialty delivery devices, sensors, and electronics), increasing procurement and production costs and causing supply-chain delays. Hardware-intensive segments such as acoustic devices and scent-dispersal systems, and regions dependent on cross-border sourcing (notably North America and Europe when sourcing from Asia) are most affected. While tariffs create near-term price pressure and delivery risk, they can also stimulate local sourcing, domestic manufacturing of compliant non-lethal systems, and investment in alternative components supporting regional supplier development.

The non-lethal biochemical weapons market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides non-lethal biochemical weapons market statistics, including non-lethal biochemical weapons industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a non-lethal biochemical weapons market share, detailed non-lethal biochemical weapons market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the non-lethal biochemical weapons industry. This non-lethal biochemical 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 biochemical weapons are designed to render individuals or equipment incapacitated without inflicting injuries. Their purpose is to disable persons or equipment without causing harm.

The primary categories of non-lethal biochemical weapons include directed energy and direct contact. A directed energy weapon utilizes highly focused energy to harm its targets. Operation types encompass defensive, offensive, and genetic attacks. These weapons find application among diverse end users, including military forces and law enforcement agencies.

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

The non-lethal biochemical weapons market consists of sales of scent-based weapons 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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