Automatic Weapons Market Report 2026

The automatic weapons market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $10.15 billion in 2025 to $11.11 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased global military modernization programs driving procurement of automatic firearms, rising armed conflicts and insurgencies boosting demand for high-rate-of-fire weapons, technological advancements in lightweight materials enabling improved weapon portability, expansion of domestic arms manufacturing capabilities across emerging economies, growth in law enforcement tactical units requiring specialized automatic weapons.

The automatic weapons market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $15.86 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising emphasis on integrated fire-control and smart-weapon technologies, increasing demand for compact and modular automatic firearms for urban warfare, expansion of counterterrorism operations supporting advanced weapon acquisitions, growing adoption of next-generation ammunition influencing automatic weapon design, sustained defense budget increases in key regions driving long-term procurement cycles. Major trends in the forecast period include rising adoption of lightweight composite materials for improved weapon handling, expansion of modular weapon platforms supporting multi-caliber flexibility, increasing demand for advanced recoil reduction and stabilization systems, surge in procurement driven by modernization of infantry and special forces, growing focus on next-generation automatic cannons for armored platforms.

The growth of the automatic weapons market is anticipated to be fueled by the increasing threats across borders in the coming years. Cross-border threats refer to security issues, hazards, or dangers that extend or spread beyond national boundaries. Automatic weapons can play a role in addressing or contributing to the challenges posed by cross-border threats. It's important to note that the utilization of automatic firearms in such situations may have both defensive and offensive applications. As of July 2023, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported that over 110 million individuals have been forcibly displaced worldwide, with Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Syria accounting for 52% of all refugees and individuals in need of international protection. Thus, the growing cross-border threats contribute to the momentum in the automatic weapons market.

Major companies operating in the automatic weapon market are focusing on developing innovative products such as compact polymer receiver assault rifles to reduce weight, enhance modularity, and improve maneuverability in close-quarters combat. A compact polymer receiver assault rifle is a shortened, lightweight automatic rifle that incorporates high-strength polymer in much of its receiver and chassis while maintaining conventional gas-operated, rotating-bolt mechanics, resulting in reduced carry weight, improved corrosion resistance and ergonomics, and greater modularity for mounting accessories to support mission flexibility. For instance, in August 2025, JSC Concern Kalashnikov, a Russia-based defense manufacturing company, announced plans to begin serial production of the AM-17, a compact, lightweight 5.45×39 mm, polymer-intensive, select-fire assault rifle developed (after combat evaluations in Ukraine) to replace the AKS-74U. The AM-17 uses extensive high-strength polymer in the receiver and magazine to minimize weight (approximately 2.5 kg without the magazine) while retaining a 30-round magazine, a 230 mm barrel, and a high cyclic rate (around 850 rounds per minute). It features a folding telescopic stock, a reversible charging handle, an ambidextrous fire selector, and Picatinny rails for optics and accessories - design elements intended to improve handling in confined spaces and close-quarters engagements.

In March 2023, Sig Sauer Inc., a U.S.-based firearms manufacturer, acquired General Robotics for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition notably enhances SIG SAUER's growing portfolio of advanced weapon systems. By integrating General Robotics' remote weapons station with SIG SAUER’s lightweight squad weapons and high-pressure hybrid ammunition, this partnership aims to transform small arms for military forces worldwide. General Robotics is an Israel-based manufacturer specializing in automatic weapons.

Major companies operating in the automatic weapons market are China North Industries Corporation, General Dynamics Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems PLC, Rheinmetall AG, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd., Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Remington Arms Company, Beretta USA, Smith & Wesson Corp., Taurus Armas S.A., Heckler & Koch AG, SIG Sauer AG, FN Herstal SA, Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC, HS Produkt d.o.o., Denel Land Systems, Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) Ltd., Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc., Glock, Windham Weaponry Inc., Bushmaster Firearms International, Norinco Private Limited, Ukroboroprom, Robinson Armament Co., Zastava Arms, Steyr Arms Inc., Zenith Firearms Inc.

North America was the largest region in the automatic weapon market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the automatic 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 reshaping the automatic weapon market by increasing import costs for precision components, metals, and optical subsystems, thereby raising production expenses and slowing cross-border supply chains. These impacts are most visible in segments such as automatic rifles, machine guns, and automatic cannons, particularly across manufacturing-heavy regions in North America, Europe, and Asia. While military procurement programs may face delays, some regions benefit from tariffs through strengthened domestic manufacturing, localized sourcing, and boosted national defense production capabilities.

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

An automatic weapon is a type of firearm that, upon pressing the trigger mechanism, continuously chambers and fires ammunition. Typically, these firearms are equipped with selective-fire capabilities, allowing them to discharge multiple rounds rapidly once the trigger is engaged.

The primary categories of automatic weapons include automatic rifles, machine guns, automatic launchers, automatic cannons, and Gatling guns. An automatic rifle is a firearm designed to be shoulder-fired, enabling the rapid firing of multiple rounds with each trigger pull. Widely utilized by military personnel and law enforcement agencies for combat and tactical purposes, these rifles are available in various caliber sizes, ranging from small to medium and large. They find application across different contexts, including land, airborne, naval, handheld, and stationary settings.

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

The automatic weapon market consists of sales of automatic pistols, assault rifles, and automatic shotguns. 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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