Digital Twin in Aerospace and Defense Market Report 2026

The digital twin in aerospace and defense market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $2.49 billion in 2025 to $3.07 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing adoption of simulation tools to enhance aircraft and defense system design accuracy, rising use of digital models for predictive maintenance and lifecycle management, expansion of real-time performance monitoring enabled by sensor integration across defense assets, deployment of digital twins for mission planning and training to improve operational readiness, development of engine and spacecraft digital replicas supporting optimization of complex systems.

The digital twin in aerospace and defense market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.97 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing integration of AI and machine learning to enhance digital twin analytics and automation, rising demand for fleet-wide digital twin platforms enabling unified asset management, expansion of digital twin applications in space systems including satellites and deep-space vehicles, increasing use of immersive training environments powered by real-time digital twin data, development of advanced multi-domain digital twins supporting joint military operations and system interoperability. Major trends in the forecast period include rising adoption of mission-ready digital twin models, increased lifecycle management and predictive mro usage, expansion of multi-domain operational simulation, growing integration into spacecraft and satellite operations, higher demand for digital twin-enabled supply chain optimization.

The rise in defense expenditure is expected to drive the growth of the digital twin in aerospace and defense market in the coming years. Defense expenditure refers to the financial resources allocated by a nation’s military to acquire, replenish, and maintain its stock of bullets, shells, missiles, and other munitions. Defense spending is increasing due to heightened geopolitical tensions, as countries strengthen their military capabilities to safeguard sovereignty, deter potential threats, modernize weapons systems, and sustain strategic influence in an uncertain global landscape. Increased defense expenditure supports the advancement of digital twin technology in the aerospace and defense sector by enabling continued investment in advanced simulation tools, real-time data integration, and lifecycle management solutions. For example, in October 2025, according to the UK Parliament's House of Commons Library, a UK-based government administration, defense spending outlined in the 2025 Spending Review is projected to reach USD 83.3 billion (£62.2 billion) in 2025/26 and rise to USD 98.2 billion (£73.5 billion) by 2028/29, reflecting an average real-terms annual growth rate of 3.8% over this period. Therefore, the increase in defense expenditure is contributing to the expansion of the digital twin in aerospace and defense market.

Leading companies in the digital twin in aerospace and defense market are increasingly focusing on adopting advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI)-based simulation to improve mission planning, optimize operational performance, and enhance training precision. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based simulation utilizes AI algorithms to create realistic virtual models of systems or environments, allowing for outcome prediction, operational optimization, and improved decision-making in aerospace and defense applications. For instance, in September 2025, Aechelon Technology Inc., a US-based software development company, introduced Project Orbion, the first AI-enabled digital twin of the Earth, developed in collaboration with Niantic Spatial, ICEYE, BlackSky, and Distance Technologies. This project combines satellite imagery, radar, video photogrammetry, and AI to build a dynamic, real-time, physics-accurate 3D model of the planet. While initially designed for defense and emergency response, the platform also offers dual-use capabilities for industries such as logistics, urban planning, disaster management, and autonomous navigation, giving organizations a robust foundation for training, refining, and validating AI systems using real-world, continuously updated data.

In January 2025, Siemens AG, a German automation company, partnered with JetZero to design a fuel-efficient, zero-emission blended-wing aircraft utilizing Siemens’ suite of digital tools. This collaboration aims to develop a sustainable, high-performance aircraft by leveraging advanced digital twin technology to enhance design efficiency and minimize environmental impact. JetZero, a U.S.-based aerospace firm, offers digital twin solutions within the aerospace and defense sector.

Major companies operating in the digital twin in aerospace and defense market are Microsoft Corporation, Siemens AG, Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus SE, International Business Machines Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., SAP SE, General Electric, Tata Consultancy Services, BAE Systems, Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies, Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, Dassault Systèmes, Hexagon AB, ANSYS Inc., PTC Inc.

North America was the largest region in the digital twin in aerospace and defense market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the digital twin in aerospace and defense 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 sensors, electronic components, and simulation hardware have increased costs associated with digital twin integration in aerospace and defense, especially in regions dependent on imported semiconductors such as North America and Europe. These tariffs disrupt supply chains but also stimulate domestic manufacturing and regional partnerships, supporting long-term resilience in digital twin infrastructure.

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

A digital twin in the aerospace and defense sector refers to a real-time digital replica of an actual aircraft or military system. It leverages live data and simulations to monitor, evaluate, and enhance performance, maintenance, and operational efficiency throughout its entire lifecycle.

The core components of a digital twin in aerospace and defense include software, services, and hardware. Digital twin software consists of platforms and tools used to develop, visualize, and manage virtual models of aircraft and associated assets. These solutions can be implemented either through on-premises infrastructure or cloud-based platforms. Foundational technologies supporting these systems include artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, machine learning, and cloud computing. Key applications span predictive maintenance, product design and development, simulation and testing, supply chain coordination, and asset management. This technology finds applications across civil aviation, military operations, space missions, and by defense contractors.

The countries covered in the digital twin in aerospace and defense market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The digital twin in aerospace and defense market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as real-time performance monitoring, mission planning and training, fleet management, and design and simulation. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The digital twin in aerospace and defense market includes sales of aircraft digital twin platforms, spacecraft and satellite digital replicas, and engine digital twin models. 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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