Military Tactical Vest Market Report 2025

The military tactical vest market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.91 billion in 2024 to $2.05 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The growth during the historic period can be linked to increasing military spending, a rise in asymmetric warfare, expansion of counter-terrorism efforts, growing demand for lightweight protective equipment, and an increase in cross-border conflicts.

The military tactical vest market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.68 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth expected in the forecast period is driven by rising demand for modular and customizable gear, expansion of homeland security initiatives, increased procurement by developing countries, emphasis on soldier survivability and comfort, and a growing need for urban warfare equipment. Key trends during this period include the integration of wearable sensors, development of smart textiles, use of advanced ballistic materials, adoption of modular armor systems, improved thermal regulation technologies, and incorporation of augmented reality systems.

The increasing geopolitical tensions are expected to drive growth in the military tactical vest market going forward. Geopolitical tensions involve conflicts, disputes, or rivalries between countries or regions arising from political, economic, territorial, or strategic interests. The escalation of these tensions is primarily due to territorial disputes, which threaten national sovereignty and control over strategically important areas. Military tactical vests help address these tensions by improving soldier protection and operational readiness in conflict zones. They offer modular, mission-specific features that allow forces to quickly adapt to changing threats, ensuring a strategic edge in high-risk environments. For example, in October 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a federal agency, reported that migrant encounters at the US-Canada border exceeded 181,000 in 2024, representing a 6.5% increase compared to 170,000 in 2023. Therefore, the rise in geopolitical tensions is fueling growth in the military tactical vest market.

Leading companies in the military tactical vest market are developing advanced products such as lightweight modular systems to improve mobility, enhance ergonomics, and provide scalable protection for soldiers in a variety of operational settings. Lightweight modular systems are highly configurable vest platforms that enable users to customize components according to mission needs while reducing the overall load. For instance, in June 2024, NFM Group, a Norway-based manufacturer of personal protection equipment, introduced the THOR Modular Combat Vest System Light Weight (MCVS-LW) at Eurosatory 2024. This sophisticated tactical vest features a lightweight, modular design with a unique three-layer load distribution system. It supports both soft and hard armor options, allowing for hybrid ballistic protection tailored to specific missions. The vest is engineered to decrease fatigue and boost operational efficiency, offering seamless integration of mission-specific accessories along with high flexibility at minimal weight.

In December 2022, NFM Group AS, a defense company based in Norway, acquired Hexonia GmbH for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is intended to expand NFM’s expertise in advanced textiles and modular combat gear, strengthening its personal protection solutions for military and law enforcement. Hexonia GmbH is a Germany-based manufacturer specializing in military tactical vests and defense textiles.

Major players in the military tactical vest market are BAE Systems Inc., Vista Outdoor Inc., Propper International, FirstSpear, TYR Tactical, MKU Ltd., NFM Group, Crye Precision LLC, Tactical Tailor Inc., Tactical Scorpion Gear, Hellweg International Pty Ltd., Blue Force Gear, PPSS Group, Armourshield Nigeria Ltd., Kejo Limited Company, Sioen Ballistics Oy, C.P.E. Production Oy, Guangzhou LUPU Travel Products Co. Ltd, Jiangsu Linry Innovation Material Technology Co. Ltd., and Zhejiang Huaan Security Equipment Co. Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the military tactical vest market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in military tactical vest report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the military tactical vest 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.

A military tactical vest is wearable combat equipment designed to offer soldiers modular storage and quick access to essential gear like ammunition, communication devices, and medical supplies. It provides body protection against bullets while distributing weight evenly. The main goal of a tactical vest is to improve operational efficiency, protection, and mobility during combat or mission-critical scenarios.

The primary types of military tactical vests include plate carrier vests, load-bearing vests, chest rigs, and combat vests. Plate carrier vests are designed to hold ballistic plates, providing scalable armor protection along with high mobility and modularity for combat and tactical operations. These vests are made from materials such as ballistic nylon, Cordura fabric, polyester, leather, and mesh, and feature adjustable sizing, compatibility with modular accessories, built-in equipment pockets, water resistance, and quick-release mechanisms. Military tactical vests are distributed through direct sales, online retailers, distributors, and retail stores, serving end-users including military forces, law enforcement agencies, private security companies, outdoor enthusiasts, and recreational paintball and airsoft players.

The military tactical vest market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides military tactical vest market statistics, including military tactical vest industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a military tactical vest market share, detailed military tactical vest market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the military tactical vest industry. This military tactical vest 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 military tactical vest market consists of sales of tactical vests, modular gear systems, bulletproof vests, and chest rigs, along with accessories such as pouches, hydration packs, magazine holders, and communication gear attachments. 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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