Mortar Ammunition Market Report 2025

The mortar ammunition market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.52 billion in 2024 to $2.65 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. Growth during the historical period was driven by advancements in military modernization, escalating cross-border tensions, the emergence of asymmetric warfare, greater need for indirect fire support, and increased defense spending by various countries.

The mortar ammunition market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.22 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5%. Growth in the forecast period is expected to be driven by rising demand for precision-guided munitions, increased defense spending in developing countries, a heightened need for lightweight and portable firepower, growing border security concerns, and the expanding use of network-centric warfare. Key trends anticipated during this period include innovations in smart mortar systems, advancements in targeting and guidance technologies, development of extended-range ammunition, improvements in propellant and explosive materials, and progress in modular and multi-caliber systems.

The rising instances of geopolitical tensions are contributing to the growth of the mortar ammunition market, driven by heightened military preparedness and increased demand for border security. These tensions refer to strained political relations between nations or regions, often resulting in conflict or escalated military activity. As global rivalries intensify, more border disputes and military build-ups are occurring. Mortar ammunition plays a crucial role in supporting military readiness during such times by providing flexible and rapid firepower in contested areas. Its ability to deliver indirect fire enhances the operational efficiency of ground forces through swift responses and improved territorial control. For example, in December 2024, the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a US-based conflict data research organization, reported over 165,273 political violence incidents worldwide between July 2023 and June 2024, representing a 15% increase from the previous year. This surge in geopolitical unrest is driving demand in the mortar ammunition market.

Key companies in the market are forming strategic partnerships aimed at boosting production and innovation. These alliances allow firms to pool resources, share technological expertise, and strengthen logistics, resulting in enhanced product offerings and broader market reach. For instance, in February 2023, Ukroboronprom, a Ukrainian defense enterprise, partnered with an unnamed NATO member to jointly manufacture 120 mm mortar ammunition. Production takes place at several locations, including sites in a European NATO country, to fulfill a contract for Ukraine's Ministry of Defence and supply its Armed Forces, which make extensive use of this type of ammunition in ongoing military engagements.

In August 2023, Rheinmetall AG, a defense and automotive technology company based in Germany, acquired Expal Systems S.A.U. for $1.37 billion (€1.2 billion). This acquisition is intended to increase Rheinmetall’s production capacity and strengthen its capabilities in precision and programmable ammunition. By integrating Expal’s expertise in advanced manufacturing and artillery systems, Rheinmetall gains a technological advantage and broadens its footprint across Europe and NATO-affiliated markets. Expal Systems, based in Spain, specializes in mortar platforms and ammunition.

Major players in the mortar ammunition market are China North Industries Group Corporation, General Dynamics Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems plc, Thales Group, Leonardo S.p.A., Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd., Rheinmetall AG, Elbit Systems Ltd, Hanwha Aerospace, Diehl Defence, Saab AB, Day & Zimmermann, Poongsan Corporation, Nammo AS, Yugoimport SDPR, KNDS Group, ARSENAL JSCo, Hirtenberger Defence Systems GmbH & Co KG, and STV Group.

North America was the largest region in the mortar ammunition market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in mortar ammunition report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the mortar ammunition 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 sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.

Mortar ammunition includes explosive projectiles fired from mortar systems - compact, mobile artillery designed for high-trajectory attacks. It is primarily used to neutralize enemy forces, demolish defensive structures, and provide essential fire support during infantry missions in diverse terrains, including urban areas. Its lightweight structure and indirect fire capability make it highly effective for striking targets not in direct line of sight.

The main categories of mortar ammunition are high-explosive (HE), illumination, smoke, training, and guided types. HE mortars, known for their strong fragmentation impact, are the most frequently used for indirect infantry fire support. Mortar components include shells, fuzes, propellant charges, and cartridges, and come in calibers such as 60 mm, 81 mm, and 120 mm. These are employed in various scenarios like infantry and artillery support, counter-insurgency, and urban warfare, and are utilized by the military, defense contractors, government entities, and research organizations.

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

The mortar ammunition market consists of sales of thermobaric mortars, bunker-busting rounds, extended-range smart mortars, non-lethal mortar rounds, and airburst mortars. 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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