Loitering Munition System Market Report 2025

The loitering munition system market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.83 billion in 2024 to $2.02 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to the rise in asymmetric warfare, rising global terrorism threats, growing defense budgets in emerging economies, shifts towards unmanned systems, and the growing need for minimizing collateral damage.

The loitering munition system market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.94 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the expansion of military modernization programs, rising demand for multi-role loitering munitions, growth in counterterrorism operations requiring precision and rapid-response capabilities, increasing use of loitering munitions in naval and aerial platforms, and rising geopolitical tensions. Major trends in the forecast period include turbojet-powered high-speed munitions, expansion of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled autonomy and swarm operations, miniaturization and modular design, and real-time intelligence and surveillance.

The rising geopolitical tensions are expected to drive growth in the loitering munition system market. These tensions, stemming from political, economic, territorial, or strategic disputes, are increasingly triggered by territorial conflicts that jeopardize national sovereignty and control over strategically important regions. Loitering munition systems play a key role in responding to these tensions by offering rapid, accurate strike capabilities with minimal collateral damage, thereby enhancing military preparedness in unstable areas. These systems provide real-time surveillance and offensive capabilities, improving strategic deterrence and operational effectiveness. For example, in October 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported over 181,000 migrant encounters at the US-Canada border, reflecting a 6.5% increase from 170,000 in 2023. This rise in cross-border pressures underscores the growing need for advanced defense systems like loitering munitions.

Leading companies in the loitering munition system sector are developing innovative solutions, such as air-launched platforms, to improve operational range, targeting precision, and flexibility in contested environments. Air-launched platforms allow loitering munitions to be deployed from airborne vehicles like drones or helicopters, facilitating rapid response and extended reach without requiring major system integration. For instance, in June 2025, UVision Air Ltd., an Israel-based defense firm, introduced a modular launch rack for its Hero-120 loitering munition. This upgrade enables deployment from combat helicopters, significantly enhancing tactical flexibility and lethality. The Hero-120, a medium-range anti-armor system, now offers a strike range of 40-60 kilometers and endurance of up to one hour with rapid, low-signature deployment capability.

In April 2025, UVision USA Corporation, a subsidiary of UVision Air Ltd., acquired Trim Robotics Ltd. for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition aims to expand UVision’s loitering munition capabilities by integrating Trim Robotics’ advanced technologies, including the dual-fuselage Quadikaze missile. The deal is expected to boost the performance, precision, and adaptability of UVision’s systems in complex operational environments and accelerate the development of next-generation autonomous solutions. Trim Robotics Ltd. is an Israel-based defense tech company known for its innovation in loitering munition design.

Major players in the loitering munition system market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus SE, RTX Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems plc, Thales Group, Rheinmetall AG, Elbit Systems Ltd., Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Edge PJSC Group, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., MBDA Missile Systems, KNDS N.V., Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, Solar Industries India Limited, Paramount Group, AeroVironment Inc., Anduril Industries, STM Savuma Teknolojileri Muhendislik Ve Ticaret A.S, WB Group Sp. z o.o., UVision Air Ltd., Embention Sistemas Inteligentes S.L., AVision Systems Pvt. Ltd., ZALA Aero Group.

North America was the largest region in the loitering munition system market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in loitering munition system report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the loitering munition system 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 steep increase in U.S. tariffs and the triggered trade tensions in spring 2025 are profoundly impacting the metal and minerals sector by disrupting supply chains for automakers, appliance manufacturers, and infrastructure projects. Domestic mills have raised prices in response to reduced import competition, but capacity constraints limit their ability to meet demand. Mining firms, meanwhile, grapple with retaliatory tariffs on mineral exports, particularly lithium and rare earths. Industry players are investing in scrap metal recycling, lobbying for exemptions, and forming joint ventures with overseas producers to secure stable supply.

The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing asymmetric warfare strategies, rising demand for precision strike capabilities, growing use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in military operations, increasing investments in defense modernization, and the proliferation of advanced surveillance technologies.

The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising geopolitical conflicts, increasing adoption of loitering munitions by small and mid-sized defense forces, growing integration of AI in targeting and flight systems, and rising demand for cost-effective, low-risk strike solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in autonomous targeting systems, miniaturization of loitering munitions for infantry use, swarm deployment capabilities, extended loitering endurance, and multi-platform launch compatibility.

The loitering munition system market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides loitering munition system market statistics, including the loitering munition system industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the loitering munition system market share, detailed loitering munition system market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the loitering munition system industry. This loitering munition system 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 loitering munition system market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as target acquisition, real-time surveillance and reconnaissance, mission planning and control, system integration, maintenance and support, and training for operational deployment. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The loitering munition system market also includes sales of launch platforms, ground control stations, communication systems, guidance modules, and associated payloads and sensors. 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.

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