Next Generation Battlefield Technology Market Report 2025

The next generation battlefield technology market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $16.01 billion in 2024 to $17.54 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6%. The growth during the historic period can be linked to the rise in asymmetric warfare, increased demand for real-time situational awareness, escalating cybersecurity threats, a surge in cross-border conflicts, and the expansion of military modernization initiatives.

The next generation battlefield technology market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $25.08 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%. The projected growth in the forecast period is driven by increasing defense spending, the expansion of 5G technology in battlefield applications, growing demand for advanced surveillance systems, advancements in cyber and electromagnetic warfare, and the need for real-time data analytics. Key trends expected include the development of quantum-resistant communications, integration of AI-powered decision support systems, deployment of directed energy weapons, innovation in advanced soldier-wearable technologies, and the use of digital twin modeling for battlefield scenarios.

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 players 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., and Applied Intuition Inc.

North America was the largest region in the next generation battlefield technology market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in next generation battlefield technology report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the next generation battlefield technology market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

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.

The intensifying U.S. tariffs and escalating trade tensions in spring 2025 are expected to have a significant impact on the chemicals sector, which is bearing a disproportionate burden, particularly from tariffs on petrochemicals and intermediates, where affordable domestic substitutes are often unavailable. Producers of specialty chemicals, heavily dependent on Chinese raw materials, are experiencing production disruptions. At the same time, fertilizer manufacturers are seeing profit margins eroded due to tariffs on phosphate imports. In response, companies are ramping up R&D into bio-based alternatives, forming procurement alliances to consolidate buying power, and shifting production to tariff-neutral nations such as Saudi Arabia.

Next generation battlefield technology encompasses advanced systems and innovations aimed at improving military effectiveness, situational awareness, and decision-making in modern combat scenarios. This includes AI-powered drones, autonomous vehicles, cyber warfare tools, and real-time data integration. The primary goal is to enhance operational efficiency, accuracy, and survivability on the battlefield.

The key categories of next generation battlefield technology include artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, 3D printing, and wearable devices. Artificial intelligence enables machines to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and decision-making. These technologies support various command and control systems like battle management, communication, situational awareness, decision support, and data fusion. Military robotics cover unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), robotic process automation, autonomous weapon systems, and robotic logistics. Weapon systems include smart weapons, directed energy weapons, precision-guided munitions, missile systems, and electromagnetic weapons. Applications of this technology span logistics and transportation, surveillance and reconnaissance, cybersecurity, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), intelligence and data warfare, combat simulation, training, health monitoring, and more.

The next generation battlefield technology market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides next generation battlefield technology market statistics, including next generation battlefield technology industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a next generation battlefield technology market share, next generation battlefield technology market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the next generation battlefield technology industry. This next generation battlefield technology 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.

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 and 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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