Artillery Systems Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Artillery Systems Market is projected to expand from USD 10.78 Billion in 2025 to USD 16.43 Billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 7.28%. This market comprises a wide range of heavy indirect-fire weaponry, such as towed and self-propelled howitzers, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), and mortars, along with their ammunition and target acquisition systems. Growth is currently fueled by the critical need to replenish national stockpiles exhausted by high-intensity conflicts and the modernization of aging arsenals amidst growing geopolitical instability. According to the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), the European defense sector saw a turnover rise of 13.8% to €183.4 billion in 2025 for the previous year, driven largely by accelerated procurement of heavy arms and munitions to bolster regional security.

Despite this growth, the market encounters serious hurdles due to industrial supply chain limitations that threaten delivery timelines. Manufacturers face difficulties in rapidly scaling production to match the sudden surge in government orders, a situation worsened by skilled labor shortages and a lack of critical raw materials for casings and propellants. This bottleneck has resulted in a significant backlog, restricting defense contractors from meeting immediate operational needs and potentially delaying the fielding of modernized artillery capabilities to end-users.

Market Drivers

Rising geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts are propelling the global artillery sector, necessitating rapid munition replenishment and the expansion of firing platforms. The demands of high-intensity attrition warfare are forcing nations to shift toward sustained, industrial-scale production of 155mm projectiles and related systems. As noted by the U.S. Army in a February 2024 announcement regarding artillery shell production, the branch has set a strategic goal to boost domestic capacity to 100,000 shells per month by 2025 to satisfy operational needs. This drive emphasizes volume, compelling manufacturers to revive dormant facilities and optimize supply chains for heavy ordnance.

This industrial mobilization is supported financially by increased global defense spending and budget allocations, enabling governments to secure long-term modernization contracts. Nations are investing record amounts to enhance ground combat capabilities and stockpile ammunition against future instability. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in its April 2024 Fact Sheet on 2023 military expenditure trends, global military spending hit a historic high of $2.44 trillion. This fiscal priority results in massive orders for prime contractors; for example, Rheinmetall AG's 2023 Annual Report from March 2024 cited a record backlog of €38.3 billion, highlighting the severe demand for weapon systems and military vehicles.

Market Challenges

Industrial supply chain limitations remain a critical obstacle preventing tangible growth in the Global Artillery Systems Market. Although geopolitical instability has triggered a spike in procurement orders, the industrial base faces difficulties converting this demand into delivered capabilities due to severe manufacturing bottlenecks. Shortages of essential raw materials, specifically high-grade steel for barrels and chemical precursors for propellants, establish a hard ceiling on production. These physical constraints limit the volume of heavy weaponry and ammunition that can be completed, forcing manufacturers to extend lead times and delay revenue realization.

These logistical challenges are compounded by a shortage of skilled workers needed to operate complex defense production lines, making rapid operational scaling nearly impossible. Consequently, the market is dealing with a growing backlog where expansion potential is stifled by an inability to execute contracts on schedule. According to the National Defense Industrial Association in 2024, 38% of private sector respondents in the defense industrial base cited capacity constraints as a primary supply chain vulnerability. This structural fragility directly impedes market momentum, creating a significant gap between the urgent strategic needs of nations and the actual delivery of artillery systems.

Market Trends

The market is being transformed by the adoption of wheeled self-propelled howitzers, as armed forces prioritize strategic mobility and lower lifecycle costs over traditional tracked platforms. This shift enables military units to perform rapid "shoot-and-scoot" maneuvers, which greatly improves survivability against counter-battery fire while reducing the logistical footprint needed for deployment. This transition is highlighted by the ramp-up of flagship systems like the CAESAR, which offers greater operational flexibility than heavier legacy models. According to an April 2025 article by Army Recognition, KNDS France successfully tripled its output to reach a target of eight CAESAR systems per month in 2025 to satisfy rising international demands.

Concurrently, the integration of precision-guided munitions is reshaping procurement strategies by allowing artillery units to accomplish mission goals with significantly less ammunition. By employing smart fuse technologies and guidance kits, defense forces can upgrade standard projectiles into highly accurate weapons, thereby reducing the logistical burden of moving large quantities of unguided shells and limiting collateral damage in complex environments. This emphasis on accuracy over volume is fueling specific contracting activities for guidance tech; for instance, Defence Blog reported in March 2025 that Northrop Grumman received a $40.5 million contract modification to continue producing Precision Guidance Kits (PGK) that convert conventional 155mm rounds into GPS-guided munitions.

Key Players Profiled in the Artillery Systems Market

• BAE Systems PLC
• Hanwha Corporation
• Elbit Systems Ltd.
• Rostec State Corporation
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Denel SOC Ltd.
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd.
• General Dynamics Corporation
• Rheinmetall AG

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Artillery Systems Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Artillery Systems Market, by Type:

• Howitzer
• Mortar
• Anti-Air Artillery
• Rocket Artillery
• Other

Artillery Systems Market, by Range:

• Short Range
• Medium Range
• Long Range

Artillery Systems 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 Artillery Systems 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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