Land-Based Smart Weapons Market Report 2026

The land-based smart weapons market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $5.51 billion in 2025 to $5.95 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing adoption of precision-guided land munitions in military operations, development of early anti-tank guided missile systems, advancements in onboard sensor and guidance technologies, rising deployment of electronic warfare ground systems, initial integration of autonomous functions into unmanned ground combat platforms.

The land-based smart weapons market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $8 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for autonomous and semi-autonomous ground combat robots, rising investment in directed energy weapons for land-based applications, expansion of loitering munitions usage for flexible battlefield engagement, increased modernization programs upgrading precision-guided land weapon systems, technological advancements enhancing target recognition and battlefield decision-making capabilities. Major trends in the forecast period include rising defense budgets driven by geopolitical tensions, shift toward precision strike and low-collateral-damage engagement, growing demand for interoperable multi-domain command and control, increased localization and offset requirements in defense procurement, expansion of homeland security and counter-terrorism modernization programs.

The increasing military budgets are expected to drive the growth of the land-based smart weapons market in the coming years. Military budgets refer to the total government funds allocated for defense, including the procurement, development, and maintenance of smart weapons. The rise in military budgets is mainly fueled by escalating geopolitical tensions, as nations allocate more resources to enhance their defense capabilities and maintain national security amid growing regional conflicts and global power competition. The increase in military spending supports the development and deployment of land-based smart weapons by financing advanced technologies, production processes, and training, resulting in more accurate, dependable, and effective battlefield systems. For instance, in April 2024, according to a report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Sweden-based international research institute, global military expenditure reached $2.443 trillion in 2023, representing a 6.8% increase in real terms compared to 2022. Therefore, the rise in military budgets is driving the growth of the land-based smart weapons market.

Major companies operating in the land-based smart weapons market are emphasizing the development of advanced systems, such as naval cruise missiles, to enhance precision-strike capabilities and expand mission flexibility. A naval cruise missile is a long-range, precision-guided weapon launched from naval platforms to strike land or sea targets with high accuracy. It enhances a military’s strike capabilities by enabling forces to engage targets from a safe distance, reducing risks to personnel, and improving operational effectiveness. For example, in June 2024, MBDA S.A.S., a France-based manufacturing company, introduced the Land Cruise Missile (LCM) system, a ground-launched cruise missile derived from the operational Naval Cruise Missile (NCM), designed to deliver long-range precision strikes with improved survivability. The LCM system includes ground launchers mounted on a dedicated platform and a mission-planning suite, forming a fully integrated solution. It retains key features from the NCM, such as metric-level accuracy across very long distances, the ability to penetrate integrated air defense systems through low radar cross-section and terrain-following flight, and high lethality against strategic targets.

In August 2023, Rheinmetall AG, a Germany-based arms manufacturer, acquired Expal Systems for $1.36 billion. Through this acquisition, Rheinmetall aims to strengthen its core business in weapons, ammunition, and propellants by significantly expanding its production capacity, diversifying its product range, and enhancing its ability to meet rising global demand for military-grade munitions, particularly from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies. Expal Systems is a Spain-based company specializing in land-based weapons, including advanced mortar systems and artillery ammunition.

Major companies operating in the land-based smart weapons market are Raytheon Technologies Corporation, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Inc., Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems plc, Larsen And Toubro Limited, Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Textron Systems Corporation, Rheinmetall AG, Hanwha Aerospace Co. Ltd., MBDA Missile Systems, Diehl Defence, Saab AB, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Poongsan Corporation, ASELSAN A.S., Denel Dynamics, UVision Air Ltd., NORINC.

North America was the largest region in the land-based smart weapons market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the land-based smart weapons market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

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.

Tariffs on electronic components, specialized alloys, and subsystems are increasing production costs and lengthening lead times for land-based smart weapons, particularly missiles, smart munitions, artillery systems, and unmanned ground vehicles sourced across North American, European, and Asia-Pacific supply chains. These trade barriers are most acutely felt in price-sensitive markets importing advanced guidance, radar, infrared, and laser technologies, as well as electronic warfare and cyber weapon systems. However, tariffs are also encouraging regional manufacturing, joint ventures, and localized value addition, which can strengthen domestic industrial bases and stimulate innovation in cost-optimized, export-ready land-based smart weapon solutions.

The land-based smart weapons market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides land-based smart weapons market statistics, including the land-based smart weapons industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the land-based smart weapons market share, detailed land-based smart weapons market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the land-based smart weapons industry. These land-based smart weapons 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.

Land-based smart weapons refer to technologically advanced weapons deployed on land that utilize integrated systems like sensors, guidance mechanisms, and onboard computers to accurately locate, track, and hit targets with high precision. These include guided artillery shells, smart missiles, and robotic ground vehicles that come equipped with decision-making and targeting functionalities. Utilizing real-time data along with autonomous or semi-autonomous operations, these weapons boost operational efficiency, limit unintended damage, and improve adaptability on the battlefield.

The primary categories of land-based smart weapons encompass missiles, artillery systems, smart munitions, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and cyber weapons. Missiles are designed for precision delivery of explosive payloads over long distances to either stationary or mobile targets. These systems make use of multiple technologies such as radar guidance, satellite navigation, laser and infrared guidance, GPS-based systems, inertial navigation, and autonomous targeting capabilities. Their applications span various areas including military missions, industrial protection, homeland security, and counter-terrorism efforts. Key users include military defense bodies, governmental agencies, private security providers, and research organizations.

The countries covered in the land-based smart weapons market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The land-based smart weapons market consists of sales of anti-tank guided missiles, loitering munitions, precision-guided mortars, ground-based directed energy weapons, electronic warfare ground systems, mine-resistant smart explosive devices, and autonomous combat ground robots. 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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