Aerospace Machine Tools Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Aerospace Machine Tools Market is projected to expand from USD 3.43 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.13 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 6.94%. These specialized manufacturing systems, which encompass CNC milling and drilling units, are essential for fabricating high-precision aircraft components from various metals and composite materials. Growth is primarily propelled by the increasing need for new commercial aircraft to meet rising passenger numbers and the replacement of older fleets with more fuel-efficient models, alongside robust defense spending that drives military aviation production.

Recent data from the Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association highlights this momentum, showing a 51.4 percent increase in orders from the aircraft, shipbuilding, and transport sectors in April 2024 compared to the prior month. However, the market faces a significant hurdle in the form of a chronic shortage of skilled technicians and operators required to manage complex machining tasks. This labor deficit restricts production capabilities and hinders manufacturers' ability to effectively meet the intensifying delivery schedules associated with the industry's expansion.

Market Drivers

A primary catalyst for the aerospace machine tools market is the escalation in global air travel and commercial aircraft production rates. As major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and supply chains increase output to satisfy renewed passenger demand, there is an intensified need for heavy-duty precision milling and turning centers capable of producing complex structural parts and engine components. This ramp-up is evidenced by Airbus delivering 766 commercial aircraft in 2024, as noted in their January 2025 report, while the Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association reported an 18.9 percent month-over-month rise in orders from the transport and aircraft sector in October 2024, reflecting immediate market responsiveness.

Concurrently, the adoption of Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing technologies is fundamentally altering procurement strategies. To meet strict tolerance standards and maximize uptime, manufacturers are investing heavily in automated, connected machining systems that facilitate predictive maintenance and higher throughput. This shift toward automation is further accelerated by the need to navigate workforce limitations. According to an August 2024 report by AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology, the aerospace sector’s order volume in the first half of 2024 reached its highest level since 2018, underscoring the aggressive integration of these advanced solutions.

Market Challenges

The continued scarcity of skilled technicians and operators represents a major obstacle to the growth of the global aerospace machine tools market. Because aerospace manufacturing entails complex specifications and rigorous standards, it demands experienced personnel to program and supervise machinery effectively. When manufacturers cannot secure an adequate workforce, they encounter operational bottlenecks that prevent full equipment utilization, leading to extended production lead times and impeding suppliers from efficiently clearing the mounting backlog of defense and commercial aircraft orders.

The gravity of this labor shortage is highlighted by broader industry assessments. In the first quarter of 2024, the National Association of Manufacturers reported that approximately 65 percent of manufacturing leaders cited the inability to attract and retain staff as their primary business challenge. This widespread difficulty in acquiring essential talent prevents manufacturers from scaling their operations to match rising consumption demands. Consequently, the disconnect between available machinery capacity and the skilled labor needed to run it continues to slow overall revenue growth in the market.

Market Trends

A defining trend in the sector is the shift toward sustainable and energy-efficient machining practices, motivated by the necessity to lower Scope 3 emissions and adhere to strict environmental regulations. Manufacturers are increasingly selecting machine tools featuring regenerative braking systems, energy-saving modes, and minimum quantity or dry lubrication capabilities to reduce power consumption and waste. This strategic alignment with net-zero goals is prioritized highly; a June 2024 report by Protolabs noted that 65.33 percent of industry respondents ranked sustainability as their top business focus for the year, outweighing traditional concerns like labor recruitment and supply chain management.

Simultaneously, the adoption of hybrid additive-subtractive manufacturing systems is increasing as a method to efficiently process expensive materials such as nickel-based superalloys and titanium. By merging the deposition features of 3D printing with the precision finishing of CNC machining, these hybrid units facilitate the fabrication of complex geometries and the repair of high-value components like turbine blades with minimal waste. The significance of this technology for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations is evident in the United States Air Force's decision to award a $1.9 million grant to Youngstown State University in early 2024 to advance tooling repair processes using this hybrid approach.

Key Players Profiled in the Aerospace Machine Tools Market

• Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
• DMG MORI CO., LTD.
• Makino Inc.
• DN Solutions Co., Ltd.
• Fives SAS
• GF Machining Solutions Management SA
• Okuma Corporation
• StarragTornos Group AG
• JTEKT Corporation

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Aerospace Machine Tools Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Aerospace Machine Tools Market, by Machine Type:

• Milling
• Turning
• and Others

Aerospace Machine Tools Market, by Axis Type:

• 5-Axis
• 3/4-Axis
• and Others

Aerospace Machine Tools Market, by Aircraft Type:

• Civil Aircraft and Military Aircraft

Aerospace Machine Tools 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 Aerospace Machine Tools 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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