Decoy Flares Market Report 2026

The decoy flares market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $2.1 billion in 2025 to $2.32 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing global defense expenditure, modernization of military aircraft fleets, rising threats from infrared-guided missiles, expansion of airborne self-protection systems, increased deployment of combat aircraft.

The decoy flares market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.4 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of next-generation electronic warfare systems, rising procurement of advanced fighter aircraft, growing focus on integrated defensive suites, expansion of unmanned aerial vehicle protection needs, increasing investments in countermeasure technology upgrades. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing integration of advanced infrared countermeasure systems, rising demand for lightweight and compact flare designs, growing use of multi-spectral decoy technologies, expansion of platform-specific flare customization, enhanced focus on rapid deployment mechanisms.

The increasing deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is driving the growth of the decoy flares market. UAVs, which are aircraft systems that operate autonomously or by remote control without a human pilot, are being increasingly adopted for defense purposes such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strikes. In military operations, decoy flares enhance UAV survivability by protecting them from heat-seeking missile attacks. For example, in May 2024, the International Trade Administration cited that the global commercial drone fleet is projected to grow by 40% between 2022 and 2030, according to the VUL (association of unmanned aviation). This expansion in UAV use is contributing significantly to the growth of the decoy flares market.

The rising defense budgets are expected to propel the growth of the decoy flares market going forward. Defense budgets refer to the funds allocated by a government for the development, maintenance, and operation of its armed forces and defense infrastructure. As global tensions rise, countries are increasingly investing in military preparedness and national security, which includes enhanced spending on countermeasure technologies such as decoy flares. For instance, in April 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Sweden-based non-government organization, in 2023, global military spending reached $2.44 trillion, up 6.8% in real terms from 2022. This growing military expenditure is fostering demand for advanced decoy flare systems and upgrades across global defense sectors.

In March 2025, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., an Israel-based defense technology company, partnered with Elbit Systems Ltd. to enhance the defense capabilities of NATO frigates by equipping them with advanced decoy launch systems designed to counter modern missile threats. Elbit Systems Ltd. is an Israel-based defense contractor company that produces advanced infrared (IR) decoy flares that protect aircraft from heat-seeking missiles. This collaboration aims to strengthen NATO naval assets by integrating cutting-edge defensive solutions, thereby expanding the application of decoy flare technology to maritime operations.

Major companies operating in the decoy flares market are Chemring Group PLC, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Armtec Defense Technologies, BAE Systems PLC, Saab AB, Rheinmetall AG, Elbit Systems Ltd., LACROIX Defense, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, IMI Systems Ltd., Leonardo S.p.A, Spectra Technologies, Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hanwha Aerospace, Magellan Aerospace, MBDA, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Thales Group, Hensoldt, Curtiss‑Wright Corporation.

North America was the largest region in the decoy flares market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the decoy flares market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the decoy flares market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The decoy flares market consists of sales of multi-spectral flares, advanced spectral flares, and dispenser systems. 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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