Military Wearables Market Report 2026

The military wearables market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.09 billion in 2025 to $4.38 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased adoption of heads-up displays enhancing real-time situational awareness for soldiers, rising deployment of augmented reality glasses supporting mission planning and navigation, growth in demand for advanced body armor improving troop protection and survivability, expansion of soldier modernization programs driving procurement of integrated wearable technologies, advancements in wearable sensors enabling continuous monitoring of soldier health and performance.

The military wearables market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.72 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to development of next-generation ar and mixed-reality wearables enhancing immersive battlefield visualization, rising integration of biometric and physiological monitoring systems improving soldier readiness, increasing adoption of lightweight and energy-efficient wearables enhancing mobility and endurance, growth in connected battlefield initiatives driving demand for interoperable wearable systems, advancement in power management and battery technologies extending operational life of military wearables. Major trends in the forecast period include integration of heads-up displays (hud) in tactical gear, development of ar glasses for enhanced situational awareness, advanced wearable health and performance monitoring systems, modular and multi-functional wearable gear, smart textiles and energy management systems for field operations.

Growing defense expenditures are expected to drive the expansion of the military wearables market in the coming years. Defense expenditure includes all current and planned investments in the armed forces, encompassing peacekeeping activities conducted by defense ministries, other government bodies involved in defense initiatives, and paramilitary groups that are trained, equipped, and prepared for military operations. Within defense organizations, various wearable devices and equipment can be integrated into a soldier’s uniform, reducing the need to carry additional payloads. Wearable technology is likely to play an increasingly influential role in future military operations. For example, in April 2025, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Sweden-based global security research institute, reported that world military spending reached $2.71 trillion in 2024, representing a 9.4% increase in real terms from 2023 - the steepest annual rise since the end of the Cold War. Therefore, rising defense expenditures are propelling the military wearables market.

Technological advancement is an important trend gaining traction in the military wearables market. Leading companies in this sector are focused on product innovation to strengthen and maintain their market position. For instance, in June 2023, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) launched a two-year voluntary study with U.S. Space Force Guardians to evaluate the use of wearable fitness devices that track physical activity. Enrollment began in May 2023 as part of the U.S. Space Force’s Continuous Fitness Assessment (CFA) initiative. The study aims to assess the usability, reliability, and effectiveness of these devices while incorporating user feedback, with the findings intended to guide leadership on how wearable devices could support new fitness strategies that may replace traditional annual tests.

In June 2023, Apple, a US-based electronics manufacturing giant, acquired Mira for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition enables Apple to capitalize on Mira's expertise in augmented reality (AR) headset technology, integrating it with Apple's ecosystem to enhance the delivery of immersive AR experiences. These advancements have the potential to revolutionize how users interact with digital content. Mira, a US-based company specializing in computer hardware manufacturing, is known for developing AR headsets that serve a variety of sectors, including entertainment and military applications.

Major companies operating in the military wearables market are Aselsan A.S., Bionic Power Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, BAE Systems plc, Saab AB, General Dynamics Corporation, Elbit Systems Ltd., L3Harris Corporation, Rheinmetall AG, Safran S.A, Thales Group, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Ultra Electronics Holdings, Teledyne Flir LLC, Leonardo S.P.A., Viasat Inc., TE Connectivity Ltd., TT Electronics PLC., Interactive Wear AG, Epsilor-Electric Fuel Ltd., Glenair Inc., Milpower Source Inc., Safariland L.L.C., Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Alpha Design Technologies, Revision Military, SECRE International Inc., Tactical Systems Group.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the military wearables market in 2025. The regions covered in the military wearables 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 have affected the military wearable market by increasing the cost of advanced electronic components, AR devices, sensors, and smart textiles, causing delays and supply chain challenges. Segments such as AR eyewear, wearable health monitoring, and body armor systems are most impacted, especially in North America and Europe. Positive outcomes include encouragement of local manufacturing, investment in domestic R&D, and innovation in cost-efficient wearable technologies.

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

Military wearables encompass advanced devices and equipment designed for the use of military personnel, seamlessly integrated into their uniforms, gear, or accessories. These technologies aim to enhance situational awareness, communication, and overall performance, ultimately contributing to the safety of troops.

The primary categories of military wearables include wristwear, modular devices, eyewear, smart key chains, earwear, and other variations. Wristwear, for instance, pertains to items worn on the wrist, such as watches and bracelets, serving a multitude of purposes for military personnel. These purposes include timekeeping, navigation, tactical information access, communication, fitness tracking, environmental monitoring, survival tools utilization, and provision of stealth and durability in challenging environments. The key technologies employed encompass communication and computing, connectivity, navigation, vision and surveillance, exoskeleton capabilities, monitoring functionalities, power and energy management, as well as smart textiles. These technologies find application across various end-users, including land forces, naval forces, and airborne forces.

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

The military wearable market consists of sales of various wearables such as heads-up display, augmented reality (AR) glasses, and body armor. 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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