Bulletproof Vest Market Report 2026

The bulletproof vest market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.68 billion in 2025 to $1.77 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising adoption of soft and hard armor plates by military and law enforcement agencies, increased focus on personal protection driving demand for concealed vests, development of advanced woven and laminated ballistic fibers improving vest performance, growth in counterterrorism operations requiring full body tactical armor, modernization programs replacing outdated protective gear with higher-grade ballistic solutions.

The bulletproof vest market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.25 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for lightweight ballistic materials enhancing mobility and comfort, increasing procurement of modular armor systems allowing customizable protection levels, rising civilian and private security adoption of concealed bulletproof vests, expanding investment in ballistic testing and certification standards driving product innovation, growing integration of smart sensors and wearables into protective vests for real-time health and threat monitoring. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of lightweight ballistic materials, rising adoption of modular and customizable armor systems, growth in covert and concealable vest demand, advancements in multi-threat protection technologies, expansion of hard armor plates for high-risk operations.

The rising military expenditure is expected to drive the growth of the bulletproof vest market. Military expenditure refers to the financial resources allocated by governments to support armed forces and defense-related activities. An increase in military spending typically occurs in response to heightened security threats, geopolitical tensions, or the strategic goal of strengthening national defense capabilities. This funding supports bulletproof vests by enabling the development, procurement, and deployment of advanced personal protective equipment, enhancing soldier safety, survivability, and operational effectiveness in combat scenarios. For instance, in April 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, global military spending reached approximately $2.29 trillion in 2022 and rose to $2.44 trillion in 2023, representing a 6.8% year-over-year increase. Consequently, rising military expenditure is fueling growth in the bulletproof vest market.

Increasing civil unrest worldwide is also expected to boost the bulletproof vest market. Civil unrest refers to violent conflicts or disturbances between groups within a country, often resulting in casualties and property damage that are not covered by insurance. Such unrest is rising due to political instability, economic inequality, and dissatisfaction with governance. Bulletproof vests provide essential protection for law enforcement and security personnel during protests, riots, and crowd-control operations. For instance, in April 2025, according to Allianz SE, over 50% of business respondents worldwide identified civil instability as a top concern. Additionally, Human Rights Watch reported 256,276 victims of domestic abuse in 2023, a 6.5% increase from 2022. Therefore, rising civil unrest is further driving demand for bulletproof vests.

In September 2023, Ace Link Armor, a US-based manufacturer of bulletproof vests and other body armor products, entered into a partnership with Glagio Do Brasil for an undisclosed amount. This collaboration aims to advance industry standards by introducing high-quality body armor products to the US market. Glagio Do Brasil is a Brazil-based manufacturer specializing in ballistic protection solutions, including vehicle armor, bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets, and other body armor products.

Major companies operating in the bulletproof vest market are Wenzhou Start Co Ltd, VestGuard UK Limited, U.S. Armor Corporation, Point Blank Enterprises Inc., MKU Limited, MARS Armor, Infidel Body Armor, Honeywell International Inc., EnGarde LLC, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Armourshield Ltd, Armor Express Inc., Central Lake Armor Express Inc., Compass International Corp, Condor Outdoor Products Inc., White Horse Research and Development Inc., Renco Corporation, Tex Tech Industries Inc., Canadian Armour Ltd, SafeVest LLC, AAM Armor LLC, AA Shield Ltd., Ace Link Armor Inc., Adept Armor LLC, Alpine Armoring Inc., American Body Armor and Equipment Inc., Angel Armor LLC, Anorak Hellas Ltd., ARGUS Armour Inc.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the bulletproof vest market in 2025. South America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the bulletproof vest 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 bulletproof vest market by increasing the cost of imported ballistic fibers, ceramic plates, and advanced composite materials, leading to higher manufacturing expenses and extended production timelines. These impacts are most notable in the soft and hard armor segments, particularly in regions dependent on imported materials such as North America and Europe. While tariffs challenge supply chain efficiency, they also encourage domestic manufacturing, creating opportunities for local material suppliers and vest producers to expand capacity and innovate with alternative ballistic technologies.

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

A bulletproof vest, also known as a ballistic vest, is a protective garment worn by individuals to safeguard the torso against bullets, knives, and explosives. These vests are designed to absorb the impact and either reduce or completely prevent penetration from various types of attacks, including bullets and fragments from explosions. They are typically constructed by layering woven or laminated fibers and may include additional protection from metal ballistic plates or ceramic inserts.

The primary types of bulletproof vests are soft vests and hard vests. Soft vests are crafted using strong woven fibers that can be integrated into the fabric. Kevlar is a commonly used material in soft vests, woven into a dense net to effectively absorb a significant amount of energy. Bulletproof vest materials may include Kevlar, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and graphene. The main end-users of bulletproof vests are military and law enforcement personnel.

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

The bulletproof vest market consists of sales of soft armor plates, hard armor plates, concealed vest, and full body tactical 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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