Armor Materials Market Report 2026

The armor materials market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $13.73 billion in 2025 to $14.56 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing adoption of ceramics and kevlar for improved ballistic protection, early use of steel armor materials in military and law enforcement applications, rising demand for lightweight polyethylene-based armor solutions, development of advanced composite armor to enhance durability and impact resistance, expansion of defense and security operations increasing the need for protective body armor.

The armor materials market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $18.36 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for next-generation lightweight armor materials with enhanced multi-hit capability, increasing integration of nanomaterials to improve strength-to-weight performance, rising investment in advanced personal protection systems for military and law enforcement, expansion of vehicle and aircraft armor upgrades requiring high-performance materials, technological advancements enabling modular, flexible, and more durable armor designs. Major trends in the forecast period include rising adoption of lightweight high-strength armor materials, increased use of advanced ceramics for enhanced ballistic resistance, development of multi-layered hybrid composites for superior protection, innovations in flexible and ergonomic body armor designs, growing demand for high-temperature and impact-resistant fibers.

The growing terrorist threat is expected to drive the expansion of the armor material market in the future. A terrorist threat refers to violent actions that endanger others, demonstrating a disregard for the harm caused. High-strength armor materials are designed to protect wearers from projectiles such as knives, bullets, and shell fragments during terrorist attacks or other dangerous situations. As terrorist threats rise, the demand for armor materials is expected to increase. For instance, in August 2024, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), an Australia-based non-profit organization, reported that Australia's terrorism threat level had been raised to 'probable,' indicating a risk of over 50% for an attack within the next year. As a result, the escalating terrorist threat is fueling the growth of the armor material market.

Prominent companies within the armor materials market are actively engaged in developing new unidirectional materials, aiming to gain a competitive advantage. Unidirectional materials, often composed of fibers predominantly oriented in a single direction, provide substantial strength and stiffness along a specific axis. For example, in October 2023, Dyneema, under Avient Corporation, introduced SB301, its third-generation UD material, emphasizing sustainability in ballistic vests. Constructed with a 0-90 orientation in unidirectional fabrics, this bio-based material achieves a 90% reduction in carbon footprint while enhancing performance by 15%-20% or reducing weight by 20%. The evolution in fiber technology significantly enhances ballistic stopping power, addressing critical protection needs across diverse operational scenarios. Dyneema SB301 adheres to the Berry Amendment standards, meeting requirements for law enforcement vests in the US market.

In March 2023, Iten Defense LLC, a prominent US manufacturer specializing in composite armor products, completed the acquisition of Transparent Armor Systems (TAS) for an undisclosed sum. This strategic move is expected to significantly expand Iten Defense's solution portfolio by incorporating transparent armor alongside its existing range of composite armor offerings. These additions are targeted towards tactical vehicles, fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, and marine vessels. Transparent Armor Systems, headquartered in the UAE, is recognized for its expertise in producing certified ballistic glass and frame systems tailored for defense, automotive, and architectural applications.

Major companies operating in the armor materials market are DuPont de Nemours Inc., Honeywell International Inc., 3M Company, Saab AB, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A., Teijin Aramid B.V., Koninklijke Ten Cate BV., CeramTec GmbH, CoorsTek Inc., Morgan Advanced Materials plc, The Safariland Group LLC, PPG Industries Inc., NP Aerospace Ltd., Ballistic Body Armour Ltd., Pacific Safety Products Inc., ATI CeramTec GmbH, Ceradyne Inc., Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, AGY Holding Corp., White Horse Research and Development Inc., Megiddo Global LLC, Hard Shell U.S., ArmorCo Advanced Armoring Products Inc., Tata Steel Ltd., Armorup LP, Tex Tech Industries Inc., SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp., SafeGuard Armor Ltd., Schunk Carbon Technology LLC, Aloca Inc.

North America was the largest region in the armor materials market in 2025.North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global armor materials market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the armor materials 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 reshaping the armor materials market by elevating import costs for ceramics, para-aramid fibers, UHMWPE, and specialty alloys, thereby increasing manufacturing expenses for armor producers across defense, law enforcement, and civilian segments. Regions heavily reliant on material imports particularly North America, Europe, and parts of Asia face slowed production and higher end-product prices. However, tariffs are also stimulating domestic material innovation, encouraging local sourcing of ballistic fibers and composites, and strengthening regional supply chains, generating pockets of opportunity alongside disruption.

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

Armor materials encompass a diverse array of substances utilized in crafting various forms of protective gear or body armor. These materials serve the purpose of creating protective clothing capable of deflecting or absorbing the impact of projectiles or weapons directed at the wearer.

Primary categories of armor materials include metals and alloys, composites, para-aramid fiber, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), fiberglass, and other specialized substances. Metals are opaque, lustrous elements that conduct heat and electricity efficiently, while alloys consist of metallic compounds comprising two or more different elements. These materials are employed in fabricating products such as vests, helmets, and other protective gear designed for different protection levels, such as II, IIa, III, IIIa, and IV. They find applications in vehicle armor, aerospace, body armor for defense, law enforcement, security personnel, and civilian use across various sectors such as civil and marine defense.

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

The armor materials market consists of sales of ceramics, kevlar, steel, and polyethylene (PE). 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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