Defense Aircraft Materials Market Report 2025

The defense aircraft materials market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $41.27 billion in 2024 to $43.89 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to increased defense budgets, escalating global military tensions, rising demand for modernization, expansion of military fleets, and greater procurement of combat aircraft.

The defense aircraft materials market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $53.68 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%. The growth expected in the forecast period is driven by escalating geopolitical instability, growing demand for stealth capabilities, increased production of unmanned combat aerial vehicles, heightened focus on sustainability, and rising need for advanced composites. Key trends during this time include technological progress in composites, development of lightweight materials, increased investment in research and development, innovations in additive manufacturing, and advancements in titanium alloy development.

The growing demand for advanced military aircraft is expected to drive the expansion of the defense aircraft materials market in the future. Advanced military aircraft are high-tech combat planes equipped with stealth features, precision systems, and superior speed designed for modern defense operations. This demand is rising due to escalating geopolitical tensions, as countries focus on achieving aerial superiority, preparing for advanced warfare, and improving rapid response in unstable areas. Defense aircraft materials like aerospace superalloys and advanced composites are essential for boosting the performance, durability, and survivability of these aircraft by enduring extreme temperatures, lowering weight, and enhancing fuel efficiency and maneuverability. For example, in January 2024, the U.S. Department of State, which manages the country’s foreign policy and international relations, reported that $80.9 billion worth of military equipment and services were transferred in 2023, a 55.9% increase compared to the $50.9 billion transferred in fiscal year 2022. Therefore, the rising demand for advanced military aircraft is propelling growth in the defense aircraft materials market.

Key players in the defense aircraft materials market are concentrating on innovations such as carbon-fiber 3D printing materials to improve aircraft performance, reduce weight, and increase fuel efficiency. Carbon-fiber 3D printing materials consist of composite filaments or powders made by combining a base material like nylon, PLA, or polyamide with short carbon fibers. These fibers boost the strength, stiffness, and durability of printed parts while keeping them lightweight. For instance, in June 2024, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), an Indian government agency, introduced FS6130CF-F, a high-performance carbon-fiber-reinforced PA6 material designed for Farsoon’s industrial flight 3D printing systems. This material is fully compatible with Flight HT403P-2 (dual-laser) and Flight HT/ST252P high-temperature laser PBF platforms and is now available in the US and European markets.

In January 2025, Tex Tech Industries Inc., a US-based manufacturer specializing in high-performance textiles and engineered materials, acquired Fiber Materials Inc. for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition aims to strengthen Tex Tech’s expertise in advanced materials designed for extreme conditions, enhancing its ability to supply critical aerospace and defense components such as thermal protection systems and composite structures. Fiber Materials Inc. is a US-based producer of composite materials serving the defense industry.

Major players in the defense aircraft materials market are Airbus SE, General Dynamics Corporation, SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation), Northrop Grumman Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., Safran S.A., Thales Group, Toray Industries Inc., Evonik Industries AG, Kobe Steel Ltd., Alcoa Corporation, Celanese Corporation, Teijin Limited, Novelis Inc., Howmet Aerospace Inc., Elbit Systems Ltd., Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, Hexcel Corporation, SGL Carbon SE, and Tex Tech Industries Inc.

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

Defense aircraft materials are specialized substances used in the construction of military aircraft, designed to meet rigorous requirements for strength, durability, and weight. These materials improve aircraft performance, longevity, and stealth by offering high strength-to-weight ratios, resistance to extreme temperatures, and enhanced radar absorption.

The primary types of defense aircraft materials include aluminum alloys, steels, titanium alloys, and composites. Aluminum alloys consist mainly of aluminum combined with elements such as copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon, or zinc to enhance particular properties. These materials are used in products like cleaning chemicals, aviation paint strippers, degreasers, aircraft leather cleaners, specialty solvents, aircraft washes, and polishes. They are applied across various platforms including transport aircraft, combat aircraft, military cargo planes, helicopters, and more, serving end users such as military organizations, defense contractors, and government agencies.

The defense aircraft materials market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides defense aircraft materials market statistics, including defense aircraft materials industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a defense aircraft materials market share, defense aircraft materials market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the defense aircraft materials industry. This defense aircraft materials 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 defense aircraft materials market consists of sales of raw materials, structural components, engine components, interior components, weapon systems, and coating and surface treatments. 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.