Small Arms and Light Weapons Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Small Arms and Light Weapons Market is projected to expand from USD 14.56 Billion in 2025 to USD 22.04 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 7.15%. This sector encompasses man-portable lethal weaponry such as pistols, rifles, carbines, and light machine guns, which are engineered for operation by individual soldiers or small units. The primary impetus for this growth lies in extensive military modernization initiatives and elevated funding for law enforcement agencies aiming to replace outdated equipment. Furthermore, the civilian segment plays a crucial role in market dynamics, sustained by ongoing demand for personal protection and engagement in shooting sports; notably, the National Shooting Sports Foundation reported that the firearm and ammunition industry contributed a total economic impact of $91.7 billion in the United States in 2024.

However, the market's scalability is significantly constrained by a rigorous and fragmented regulatory landscape regarding international arms ownership and transfers. Manufacturers are compelled to navigate intricate export control protocols and compliance requirements that differ widely among jurisdictions, frequently causing shipment delays and driving up operational expenses. While these regulatory obstacles are designed to curb illicit proliferation, they inadvertently establish considerable barriers to entry and obstruct the efficient movement of legitimate global trade.

Market Drivers

Rising government expenditures and defense budgets, fueled chiefly by intensifying geopolitical tensions, serve as the primary accelerator for the Global Small Arms and Light Weapons Market. As nations face increasingly volatile security conditions, capital is prioritized for modernizing infantry weaponry and restocking strategic reserves, a trend observed globally rather than just among major powers. This financial commitment ensures continuous procurement of advanced assault rifles, light machine guns, and modular ballistic systems. According to data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute in April 2025, global military spending climbed to a record $2.71 trillion in 2024, marking a 9.4 percent increase in real terms that directly finances these comprehensive equipment upgrades.

Concurrently, the market is bolstered by robust civilian demand for self-defense and personal security, specifically in areas where ownership rights are legally protected. Escalating public safety concerns drive individuals to purchase firearms for protection, establishing a resilient commercial sector that provides manufacturers with a steady revenue source separate from fluctuating government contracts. The strength of this demand is highlighted by transaction data; the National Shooting Sports Foundation noted in January 2025 that annual adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figures for U.S. firearm sales exceeded 15.2 million in 2024. Leading industry entities continue to profit from this momentum, with Sturm, Ruger & Company reporting net sales of $126.8 million for the third quarter alone in November 2025, demonstrating the segment's lasting financial significance.

Market Challenges

A restrictive and disjointed regulatory environment governing international arms transfers imposes a major limitation on the Global Small Arms and Light Weapons Market, directly inhibiting its ability to scale. Manufacturers must maneuver through a complicated maze of export controls, end-user verification procedures, and diverse compliance standards that vary drastically between jurisdictions. These bureaucratic obstacles generate significant bottlenecks within the supply chain, often leading to extended delays for license approvals and product shipments. Consequently, the smooth execution of legitimate trade is interrupted, making it difficult for companies to fulfill international contracts efficiently while simultaneously raising the financial costs associated with compliance.

The tangible effect of these regulatory impediments is reflected in the volatility of export volumes, where procedural friction can suppress market activity despite the presence of demand. For example, the commercial export sector often suffers from fluctuations caused by these restrictive trade conditions. As reported by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, handgun exports from the United States fell by 38.6 percent in January 2024 compared to the same month the previous year. Such downturns illustrate how stringent and uncoordinated regulatory mechanisms can obstruct the consistent flow of goods, thereby capping the overall growth potential of the global market.

Market Trends

The transition toward Next-Generation 6.8mm Caliber Weapon Systems represents a strategic shift in military armaments, necessitated by the requirement to defeat modern ballistic body armor and engage targets at ranges exceeding those of traditional 5.56mm platforms. This movement is characterized by the adoption of high-pressure, intermediate-caliber cartridges that offer enhanced terminal ballistics without incurring the weight disadvantages associated with heavier battle rifles, effectively redefining infantry lethality and logistics. As reported by Military.com in March 2024, the U.S. Army has commenced this transition by issuing the first operational XM7 rifles and XM250 automatic rifles to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, a historic milestone that signals the beginning of the service-wide replacement of the M4 carbine fleet.

In parallel, the civilian sector is being transformed by the development of Biometric and User-Authenticated Smart Firearms, which embed sophisticated identity-verification technology into the firing mechanisms of personal defense weapons. This innovation targets safety concerns by employing 3D facial recognition and fingerprint sensors to block unauthorized usage while ensuring the weapon remains instantly accessible to its owner, effectively establishing a secure new product category. Confirming this market evolution, Biofire announced in an August 2024 press release that it had successfully delivered the initial production units of its 9mm Smart Gun to commercial customers, marking the debut of the first commercially available firearm system that relies exclusively on biometric authentication for operation.

Key Players Profiled in the Small Arms and Light Weapons Market

• Heckler & Koch
• Colt
• Beretta USA Corp.
• FN HERSTAL
• Glock, Inc.
• Kalashnikov Concern JSC
• RemArms LLC.
• KNDS France
• SIG SAUER
• General Dynamics Corporation
• Smith & Wesson
• DASAN MACHINERIES CO., LTD.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Small Arms and Light Weapons Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Small Arms and Light Weapons Market, by Type:

• Small Arms Light Weapons

Small Arms and Light Weapons Market, by End-User Sector:

• Law Enforcement
• Military & Defense
• Civil & Commercial

Small Arms and Light Weapons Market, by Caliber:

• 14.5 mm
• 9 mm
• 12.7 mm
• 5.56 mm
• 14.9 mm
• 7.62 mm

Small Arms and Light Weapons Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Small Arms and Light Weapons Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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