Explosives Detection and Identification Equipment Market Report 2026

The explosives detection and identification equipment market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $2.73 billion in 2025 to $3.01 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing deployment of portable screening kits for security checks at transportation hubs, rising adoption of chemical identification tools to support rapid on-site threat detection, expansion of mobile scanning units enhancing perimeter and event security operations, development of automated inspection stations improving throughput and detection accuracy, growing need for system integration and calibration services to maintain operational reliability.

The explosives detection and identification equipment market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.4 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for AI-enabled detection algorithms improving identification speed and precision, rising adoption of integrated surveillance modules combining imaging and chemical sensing, expansion of explosives detection capabilities in smart-city and critical infrastructure security systems, increasing use of remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance to reduce equipment downtime, development of next-generation mobile and compact detection units for enhanced field operability. Major trends in the forecast period include rising deployment of multi-modal explosives detection (trace, vapor, and bulk) in large transport hubs, strong regulatory pressure for standardized screening protocols and certification of detection systems, miniaturization and ruggedization of detectors for portable, field, and on-the-move operations, integration of explosives detection with broader cbrne (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosives) threat platforms, shift toward service-based business models including long-term maintenance, calibration, and training contracts.

The increasing terrorist activities are expected to drive the growth of the explosives detection and identification equipment market in the coming years. Terrorist activities involve the use of violence, threats, or intimidation by non-state actors to achieve political, ideological, or religious objectives. The rise in terrorist activities is fueled by growing political instability and extremist ideologies across various regions. Such activities often involve explosives, making advanced explosives detection and identification equipment essential for preventing attacks, strengthening security measures, and safeguarding civilians from potential threats. For example, in September 2025, the Home Office, a UK government department, reported that in the year ending 30 June 2025, 83 individuals were tried for terrorism-related offences, five more than in the year ending 30 June 2024. Consequently, the rising terrorist activities are driving the explosives detection and identification equipment market.

Leading companies in the explosives detection and identification equipment market are concentrating on developing innovative solutions, such as portable trace detectors, to improve security screening and enable fast, on-site threat detection. A portable trace detector is a handheld device capable of identifying tiny traces of explosives, chemicals, or narcotics on surfaces or in the air, allowing security personnel to quickly detect threats and prevent attacks. For example, in August 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., a US-based life sciences and clinical research company, introduced the Defender Omega Handheld Raman Analyzer, a compact and rugged device designed to assist border patrol, customs, military, and other security agencies in detecting explosives, narcotics, and hazardous chemicals on-site without laboratory testing. The device employs advanced chemometric algorithms and a comprehensive, regularly updated reference library, enabling operators to accurately identify a wide range of chemical threats, including multicomponent mixtures and fluorescent materials. Equipped with built-in GPS and camera functionality for time and location stamping, Wi-Fi connectivity for seamless data transfer, and an IP68-rated ingress protection for operation in harsh environments, the Defender Omega enhances field efficiency and situational awareness, empowering security personnel to respond quickly and safely to potential threats.

In August 2023, SoundThinking, Inc., a U.S.-based provider of public safety technologies, completed the acquisition of SafePointe for an undisclosed amount. This move bolsters SoundThinking’s SafetySmart platform by incorporating SafePointe’s advanced detection systems, which identify hidden weapons such as guns, tactical blades, and explosives. These systems offer efficient, seamless security screening suited to high-footfall environments. SafePointe, LLC is a U.S.-based firm known for its innovative weapon detection technology.

Major companies operating in the explosives detection and identification equipment market are Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.; Agilent Technologies Inc.; Bruker Corporation; Smiths Detection Group Ltd.; 908 Devices Inc.; Owlstone Medical Ltd.; Government e-Marketplace (GeM); Kromek Group plc; Autoclear LLC; MS Tech Ltd. (Microsensor Technologies Ltd.); DetectaChem LLC; Scanna MSC Ltd.; Costruzioni Elettroniche Industriali Automatismi S.p.A. (CEIA); Morphix Technologies Inc.; Excellims Corporation; Field Forensics Inc.; RS Dynamics s.r.o.; Astrotech Corporation; HTDS (Hi-Tech Detection Systems); SecurSCAN.

North America was the largest region in the explosives detection and identification equipment market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the explosives detection and identification equipment 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, sensors, and imaging modules have increased production and procurement costs in the explosives detection and identification equipment market, particularly for sophisticated bulk detection systems and advanced trace and vapour detectors used in airport security, customs, and large transportation hubs. Manufacturers relying on cross-border supply chains in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are seeing longer lead times and higher prices for technologies such as IMS, MS, SAW, X-ray/CT, and spectroscopy-based systems, which in turn delays upgrades for government, aviation, industrial, and military end users. At the same time, tariffs are encouraging localization of manufacturing, regional assembly, and the development of more cost-efficient designs, creating opportunities for domestic producers and stimulating innovation in modular, serviceable systems that can be competitively deployed despite higher import duties.

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

Explosive detection and identification equipment are specialized instruments and systems used to discover, pinpoint, and recognize explosive substances across diverse settings. These devices employ various technologies to inspect air, surfaces, or objects for signs of explosives. By enabling swift, precise, and non-intrusive identification of explosive threats, this equipment plays a vital role in enhancing security.

The primary categories of explosive detection and identification equipment include explosives trace detectors, explosives vapor detectors, and explosives detection systems. Explosive trace detectors are used to detect small amounts of explosive substances present on surfaces, objects, or in the surrounding air. Technologies such as ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), mass spectrometry (MS), surface acoustic wave (SAW), x-ray technology, and Raman spectroscopy are utilized in this equipment for applications in locations such as airports, customs, and railway stations. These tools cater to different end-users including government and law enforcement agencies, aviation and transportation sectors, commercial and industrial establishments, and the military.

The countries covered in the explosives detection and identification equipment market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The explosives detection and identification equipment market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as equipment calibration, system integration, detection algorithm training, threat assessment consulting, and remote diagnostics. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The explosives detection and identification equipment market includes sales of portable screening kits, mobile scanning units, integrated surveillance modules, chemical identification tools, and automated inspection stations. 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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