Ballistic Protection Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Ballistic Protection Market is projected to expand from USD 15.67 Billion in 2025 to USD 24.22 Billion by 2031, reflecting a CAGR of 7.53%. This sector encompasses specialized equipment and materials, including combat helmets, body armor, and vehicle shielding, specifically engineered to reduce the kinetic impact of shrapnel, projectiles, and blast waves. The primary catalyst for this market is the rise in geopolitical instability and cross-border tensions, which has driven governments globally to significantly increase defense budgets. These financial increases support the modernization of military capabilities and the acquisition of advanced soldier survivability systems to defend against emerging asymmetric threats.

However, market expansion faces a significant obstacle due to the volatility of supply chains for high-performance raw materials such as ceramic composites and aramid fibers. These disruptions frequently result in cost inflation and production delays, creating difficulties for defense agencies in their long-term procurement planning. Despite these industrial bottlenecks, demand remains strong; according to the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe, defense sector turnover grew by 13.8 percent to €183.4 billion in 2024, highlighting the sector's resilience.

Market Drivers

Rising Global Defense Budgets and Military Expenditure serve as the main engine for the Global Ballistic Protection Market, allowing armed forces to replace outdated equipment with modern survivability solutions. As nations focus on upgrading infantry and special forces capabilities, funds are increasingly allocated for next-generation ballistic helmets, body armor, and lightweight vehicle shielding, a trend particularly evident within the North Atlantic alliance. According to a June 2024 press release regarding NATO defense expenditure between 2014 and 2024, 23 member nations were projected to meet or surpass the 2 percent GDP spending target in 2024, a notable jump from only 10 countries in 2023.

The intensification of cross-border conflicts and geopolitical tensions further fuels market growth by generating urgent requirements for combat-tested protection systems. Ongoing instability in Eastern Europe and elsewhere has compelled defense agencies to accelerate procurement contracts and replenish depleted stocks for both vehicle and personal protection. This demand is reflected in financial results; Rheinmetall AG's 2023 annual report from March 2024 noted a 44 percent rise in its order backlog to a record €38.3 billion due to European security shifts, while Avon Technologies reported in November 2024 that its Team Wendy ballistic helmet division saw its order book grow by 53.2 percent to $153.2 million.

Market Challenges

A significant barrier to the Global Ballistic Protection Market is the instability of supply chains for specialized raw materials. Manufacturers rely heavily on high-performance inputs like ceramic composites and aramid fibers to produce vehicle shielding and body armor; when access to these materials fluctuates, production lines halt, preventing the timely fulfillment of government contracts. This inability to supply finished products during high-demand periods causes backlogs that delay revenue realization and force defense agencies to postpone essential modernization initiatives.

This vulnerability is worsened by the industry's dependence on a small pool of qualified vendors for advanced materials. According to the National Defense Industrial Association in 2024, 49 percent of defense industrial base companies surveyed cited reliance on single or sole-source suppliers as a major supply chain weakness. Such dependency exposes manufacturers to material shortages and sudden price hikes, which often force procurement officers to cut order volumes, thereby limiting the market's overall financial growth.

Market Trends

The integration of Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites is transforming modern armor composition, driven by the operational necessity to minimize soldier fatigue. To improve strength-to-weight ratios, manufacturers are replacing heavy ceramic and steel plates with these advanced fiber composites, allowing defense agencies to acquire lightweight gear that improves mobility without sacrificing ballistic protection. Highlighting the commitment to these technologies, Avient Corporation reported in its February 2025 Form 10-K that its 2024 investment in research and development, which supports innovation in high-performance protective materials, totaled $98.7 million.

Concurrently, the shift toward scalable and modular personal protective equipment is altering procurement strategies as armed forces seek gear adaptable to varied threat environments. This trend prioritizes versatile helmet and vest systems that allow operators to quickly adjust loadouts by adding or removing components like side plates and mandible guards based on mission needs. Demonstrating the demand for such adaptable solutions, Galvion confirmed in a November 2025 press release that it received orders for 225,000 Batlskin Caiman head systems through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency framework.

Key Players Profiled in the Ballistic Protection Market

• DuPont
• BAE Systems
• 3M
• Safariland
• ArmorSource
• Rheinmetall
• PROTECH
• Teijin Aramid
• Plasan
• Point Blank Enterprises

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Ballistic Protection Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Ballistic Protection Market, by Product Type:

• Personnel Protection Equipment
• Vehicle Protection Equipment

Ballistic Protection Market, by Application:

• Military
• Airborne
• Marine

Ballistic Protection Market, by Technology:

• Soft Armor
• Hard Armor

Ballistic Protection 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 Ballistic Protection 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).

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.