Fuel Cells in Aerospace and Defense Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Fuel Cells in Aerospace and Defense Market is projected to expand from USD 2.34 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.77 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 16.23%. These electrochemical devices, which efficiently convert chemical energy from hydrogen into electricity, are utilized to power unmanned aerial vehicles, auxiliary power units, and propulsion systems. The market is driven by the urgent requirement for low-emission technologies to achieve international net-zero goals and the military necessity for silent, long-endurance power solutions that outperform conventional batteries. According to the International Air Transport Association, hydrogen-powered aircraft could potentially account for 18% of the global commercial fleet by 2050 under their net-zero technology scenarios.

Despite these favorable drivers, the market encounters a major obstacle due to the immaturity of hydrogen infrastructure. The lack of a cohesive global network for the production, storage, and refueling of hydrogen at defense installations and airports creates a logistical bottleneck. This deficiency threatens to significantly delay the scalability and operational integration of fuel cell technologies throughout the sector, hindering the industry's ability to support widespread adoption.

Market Drivers

The enforcement of strict environmental regulations and decarbonization mandates acts as the primary catalyst for the adoption of fuel cells in the aerospace sector. As the industry strives to meet international net-zero targets, manufacturers are shifting toward hydrogen propulsion to decarbonize flights that require energy densities beyond the reach of battery-electric systems. This transition is bolstered by significant public investment; for example, the UK Government awarded £103 million in 2024 for green aerospace projects, including zero-emission hydrogen flight technologies. Such support is essential for adherence to development timelines, as evidenced by Airbus reaffirming its goal at the February 2024 Singapore Airshow to introduce the world's first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035.

A second critical driver is the rising demand for long-endurance Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), particularly within the defense landscape. Military operators require power sources with low thermal signatures and silent operation to sustain extended surveillance missions without the frequent downtime associated with recharging lithium-ion batteries. Fuel cells offer the high energy density necessary to drastically extend flight durations for tactical operations. This capability was highlighted in June 2024 by Intelligent Energy, which reported that its hydrogen fuel cell-powered 'Gryphon' drone achieved a flight endurance of 3 hours, significantly outperforming standard battery-operated systems and driving rapid integration into next-generation defense fleets.

Market Challenges

The underdeveloped state of hydrogen infrastructure represents a significant barrier to the expansion of the fuel cell market within the aerospace and defense sectors. Unlike conventional aviation fuel, which benefits from a fully established global distribution network, hydrogen demands specialized facilities for production, liquefaction, and high-pressure refueling that are currently scarce. This lack of infrastructure restricts the operational flexibility of hydrogen-powered aircraft, effectively limiting them to specific demonstration routes or short-range loops rather than facilitating the global mobility essential for defense logistics and commercial transport.

This logistical gap generates considerable financial uncertainty for stakeholders evaluating the adoption of fuel cell technology. According to data from the Hydrogen Council in 2024, only about 7% of announced renewable hydrogen capacity projects had progressed to the Final Investment Decision stage, suggesting that actual infrastructure deployment is lagging significantly behind market announcements. This slow pace of physical capital development compels manufacturers and operators to postpone the integration of fuel cell systems, as they cannot depend on a consistent fuel supply chain to support routine, widespread operations.

Market Trends

The development of liquid hydrogen storage technologies is becoming a pivotal trend to enable long-range aviation by overcoming the volumetric limitations of gaseous storage. Manufacturers are focusing on cryogenic systems that substantially increase fuel energy density, which is vital for powering larger commercial aircraft architectures. This technological shift was emphasized when Airbus, in a press release regarding its March 2025 Summit, unveiled a next-generation concept aircraft featuring two liquid hydrogen tanks supplying four 2-megawatt fuel cell engines, directly addressing the constraints of zero-emission flight.

Concurrently, the deployment of portable and wearable fuel cells for soldier modernization programs is gaining momentum as defense agencies seek lightweight, energy-dense power sources. These systems are replacing heavy battery packs to support advanced tactical equipment and provide extended operational autonomy in remote environments. The rapid market uptake of this technology is reflected in procurement data; SFC Energy reported in February 2025 that its defense and public security segment achieved a sales increase of approximately 60% compared to the previous year, driven by the increasing reliance on fuel cells for dismounted soldier power.

Key Players Profiled in the Fuel Cells in Aerospace and Defense Market

• Advent Technologies
• Australian Fuel Cells Pty Ltd.
• Cummins Inc.
• ElringKlinger AG
• Gen Cell Ltd.
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen, Inc.
• Intelligent Energy Limited
• Plug Power Inc.
• MTU Aero Engines AG

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Fuel Cells in Aerospace and Defense Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Fuel Cells in Aerospace and Defense Market, by Type:

• Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
• Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Fuel Cells in Aerospace and Defense Market, by Application:

• Commercial Aircraft
• Rotorcrafts
• Others

Fuel Cells in Aerospace and Defense 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 Fuel Cells in Aerospace and Defense 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.