Next Generation Battlefield Technology Market Report 2026

The next generation battlefield technology market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $17.54 billion in 2025 to $19.22 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to military modernization programs, digital communication systems, unmanned vehicle development, defense electronics growth, network centric warfare.

The next generation battlefield technology market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $27.39 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to AI enabled warfare strategies, increased defense spending, autonomous weapon systems, cyber warfare threats, real time data integration. Major trends in the forecast period include rising deployment of autonomous combat systems, expansion of AI driven decision support, growing use of battlefield sensor networks, increased adoption of wearable soldier systems, focus on cyber and electronic warfare.

The increasing defense budgets are expected to drive the growth of the next generation battlefield technology market in the future. Defense budgets refer to the financial resources allocated by governments to support military operations, personnel, equipment, and defense infrastructure. The rise in defense budgets is fueled by escalating geopolitical tensions caused by conflicts and regional security challenges worldwide. These budgets support next-generation battlefield technology by funding advanced research and development, fostering innovation in AI, autonomy, and directed energy systems. They improve military readiness by speeding up the deployment of cutting-edge solutions and enhancing operational effectiveness and strategic capabilities. For example, in April 2024, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Sweden-based NGO, reported that global military spending reached $2.443 trillion, reflecting a 6.8% increase compared to 2022. Therefore, the growing defense budgets are propelling the growth of the next generation battlefield technology market.

Leading companies in the next generation battlefield technology market are focusing on creating innovative solutions such as advanced digital platforms to improve precision, real-time data utilization, and combat efficiency. A digital platform in next-generation battlefield technology is an integrated system that uses advanced computing, artificial intelligence, and secure communications to enable real-time data sharing, decision-making, and coordination among manned and unmanned combat systems. For instance, in May 2025, Rheinmetall AG, a Germany-based defense and automotive technology firm, launched BattleSuite, a next-generation digital platform designed to transform military operations by establishing a unified, efficient, and secure battlefield network. BattleSuite digitally connects the battlefield, allowing seamless coordination between soldiers, vehicles, and unmanned systems. It provides real-time situational awareness, secure data exchange, and AI-driven decision support across all operational levels, enhancing command efficiency, reducing response times, and increasing mission success through integrated networked warfare capabilities.

In November 2024, AeroVironment Inc., a US-based defense and aerospace technology company, acquired BlueHalo LLC for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition enables AeroVironment to broaden its advanced battlefield technology portfolio, strengthen multi-domain defense capabilities, and accelerate innovation in directed energy, counter-UAS, and autonomous systems. BlueHalo LLC, based in the US, specializes in AI, directed energy, and autonomous systems for next-generation battlefield technology.

Major companies operating in the next generation battlefield technology market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, The Boeing Company, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems Inc., Thales S.A., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., Leidos Holdings Inc., Rheinmetall AG, Elbit Systems Ltd., Rockwell Collins Inc., EDGE Group PJSC, Saab AB, General Atomics, Shield AI Inc., Hanwha Corporation, AeroVironment Inc., Anduril Industries Inc., Applied Intuition Inc.

North America was the largest region in the next generation battlefield technology market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the next generation battlefield technology market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the next generation battlefield technology market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The next generation battlefield technology market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as real-time surveillance and reconnaissance, cyber defense and electronic warfare solutions, autonomous mission planning, and integrated command and control support. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The next-generation battlefield technology market also includes sales of smart weapons, autonomous drones, robotic combat systems, next-generation sensors, exoskeletons, battlefield surveillance radars, and secure communication equipment. 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.

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