Non Destructive Testing (NDT) in Aerospace and Defense Market Report 2026

The non destructive testing (ndt) in aerospace and defense market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $2.59 billion in 2025 to $2.93 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing use of ndt to ensure structural integrity and airworthiness of aircraft, rising adoption of advanced ultrasonic and radiographic techniques for defect detection, growth in defense modernization programs requiring inspection of legacy and new platforms, expansion of missile and aerospace component manufacturing boosting demand for quality assurance testing, advancements in ndt instrumentation improving detection accuracy and reliability.

The non destructive testing (ndt) in aerospace and defense market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.74 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing integration of automated and robotic ndt systems to enhance inspection efficiency, rising demand for real-time ndt data analytics to support predictive maintenance, increasing adoption of portable ndt devices for field inspection of defense assets, expansion of additive manufacturing in aerospace requiring specialized ndt solutions, accelerating development of high-resolution thermography and eddy current technologies to detect complex flaws. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of advanced composites and lightweight alloys requiring specialized ndt procedures, shift from scheduled inspections to life-cycle and risk-based ndt strategies in aerospace and defense fleets, growing outsourcing of ndt activities to specialized, nadcap and en4179/nas410-certified providers, stricter regulatory and safety compliance requirements driving adoption of standardized ndt protocols, rising investment in ndt workforce training, multi-method certification, and competency management.

The increase in global defense budgets is expected to drive the growth of non-destructive testing (NDT) in the aerospace and defense market moving forward. Defense budgets represent the total financial resources governments allocate to maintain and develop their armed forces and defense-related activities. The rise in these budgets is largely due to escalating geopolitical tensions and security threats, prompting nations to strengthen military capabilities, modernize equipment, and safeguard national security amid global instability. Non-destructive testing in aerospace and defense helps maximize defense spending by identifying defects early without damaging parts, which reduces costly failures and limits the frequency of part replacements. For example, a report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a UK-based strategic security research organization, noted that global defense spending increased to $2.46 trillion in 2024, up from $2.24 trillion the previous year. As a result, the growth in defense budgets is fueling the expansion of non-destructive testing in aerospace and defense.

Key players in the non-destructive testing market for aerospace and defense are advancing technologies such as sophisticated X-ray inspection systems to improve flaw detection, safety, reliability, and maintenance efficiency of critical components. Advanced X-ray inspection technology offers high-resolution imaging that detects tiny structural defects, thereby enhancing the overall safety and dependability of aerospace and defense equipment. For instance, in February 2024, Rad Source Technologies Inc., a US-based company specializing in X-ray and irradiation solutions, launched the NDT 1000 X-ray Inspection System. This compact, portable system provides real-time, high-resolution imaging for non-destructive testing across aerospace, defense, electronics, and automotive sectors. Powered by a standard 120V outlet, it can penetrate steel up to 0.6 inches thick in under a second, delivering clear digitized images that enable faster and more precise defect identification. Its main goal is to improve on-site inspection capabilities, simplify maintenance workflows, and enhance quality control in evaluating critical components.

In January 2025, Trigo Group, a France-based provider of quality services for transportation, aerospace, and heavy industries, acquired Controreupe SARL for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition strengthens Trigo’s expertise in non-destructive testing and broadens its service offerings within the industrial sector. Controreupe SARL, also based in France, specializes in non-destructive testing, penetrant testing, and 3D measurement of complex parts, serving industries including aerospace and defense.

Major companies operating in the non destructive testing (ndt) in aerospace and defense market are Waygate Technologies GmbH, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Testia SAS, Shimadzu Corporation, Intertek Group plc, TWI Ltd, Applus+ Services S.A., Acuren Inspection Inc., MISTRAS Group Inc., YXLON International GmbH, Zetec Inc., TRIGO Group, Eddyfi Technologies Inc., Nasmyth TMF, Magnaflux Corporation, Rad Source Technologies Inc, Nikon Metrology NV, Magnetic Inspection Laboratory Inc., QC Laboratories Inc., MQS Technologies Pvt Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the non destructive testing (NDT) in aerospace and defense market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the non destructive testing (ndt) in aerospace and defense market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on high-value electronic components, X-ray sources, ultrasonic transducers, and specialized alloys are increasing the cost of inspection equipment, consumables, and software used for non-destructive testing in aerospace and defense, particularly in cross-border supply chains between North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific manufacturing hubs. These added costs and customs delays most heavily impact inspection equipment and consumables segments, as well as OEMs and MROs that rely on imported radiography, ultrasonic, and eddy-current systems for component and weld inspection. At the same time, tariffs are encouraging regionalization of NDT equipment production, local sourcing of consumables, and the build-out of domestic testing and training capabilities, which can ultimately strengthen local ecosystems and reduce long-term supply chain risk for critical aerospace and defense programs.

The nondestructive testing (NDT) market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides nondestructive testing (NDT) market statistics, including nondestructive testing (NDT) industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a nondestructive testing (NDT) market share, nondestructive testing (NDT) market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the nondestructive testing (NDT) industry. This nondestructive testing (NDT) market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Non-destructive testing (NDT) in aerospace and defense involves various inspection methods aimed at assessing the condition, characteristics, and strength of materials, parts, and assemblies without damaging them or affecting their functionality. This process helps identify defects, ensures adherence to safety regulations, confirms manufacturing quality, and prolongs the lifespan of critical equipment like aircraft components, missiles, and defense systems.

The primary nondestructive testing (NDT) methods include ultrasonic testing, radiography, magnetic particle testing, eddy-current testing, and others. Ultrasonic testing, for example, employs high-frequency sound waves to detect internal flaws, measure material thickness, and assess structural integrity. These techniques are applied across various products such as consumables, inspection equipment, testing services, training and certification programs, and software solutions. Applications range from component and weld inspection to material integrity testing, structural health monitoring, and the detection of fatigue and fractures. End users include aerospace manufacturers, defense contractors, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers, research institutions, and government agencies.

The countries covered in the non destructive testing (ndt) in aerospace and defense market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The non-destructive testing (NDT) in the aerospace and defense market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT), computed radiography (CR) testing, and visual inspection. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The non-destructive testing (NDT) in the aerospace and defense market also includes sales of ultrasonic flaw detectors, radiographic testing equipment, eddy current testing instruments, magnetic particle inspection systems, thermography devices, and visual inspection tools. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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