Ballistic Protective Gear Market Report 2026

The ballistic protective gear market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.46 billion in 2025 to $4.79 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to adoption of bullet-resistant vests and plate carriers in military and law enforcement, development of advanced ballistic helmets for head protection, rising use of face shields to guard against fragments and shrapnel, implementation of tactical gloves for hand protection during operations, deployment of specialized tactical boots for enhanced mobility and safety.

The ballistic protective gear market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.26 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for lightweight and high-performance ballistic materials, expansion of modular and multi-threat protective gear, rising integration of smart sensors and wearable technology in ballistic equipment, focus on ergonomic and mission-specific protective designs, increasing procurement for defense, law enforcement, and high-risk security applications. Major trends in the forecast period include growth in demand for lightweight and high-strength ballistic materials, rising use of modular and customizable protective gear, increased adoption of multi-threat protective solutions, integration of communication and situational-awareness features in gear, expanding civilian and private security market for personal protection.

The increasing prevalence of terrorism is expected to drive the growth of the ballistic protective gear market. Terrorism involves the unlawful use of violence or intimidation, particularly against civilians, to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives. Its rising incidence is largely fueled by political instability, where weak governance, power vacuums, and civil unrest create conditions for extremist groups to grow and recruit members. Ballistic protective gear strengthens counter-terrorism operations by protecting security personnel from gunfire, explosions, and other ballistic threats during high-risk missions, enhancing survivability, maintaining operational readiness, and enabling more effective responses in hostile environments. For example, in February 2024, the Institute for Economics and Peace, an Australia-based think tank, reported that global deaths from terrorism rose to 8,352 in 2023, a 22% increase compared to the previous year. As a result, the rising prevalence of terrorism is driving demand for ballistic protective gear.

Leading companies in the ballistic protective gear market are innovating by creating products such as lightweight, high-cut ballistic helmets designed to enhance mobility, comfort, and user protection. These helmets feature raised ear sections and are made from lightweight ballistic materials like aramid fibers or polyethylene, reducing overall weight while offering protection. They also accommodate communication devices and tactical gear, improving situational awareness during high-risk operations. For instance, in March 2024, Premier Body Armor, LLC, a US-based ballistic protection manufacturer, introduced the Fortis Ballistic Helmet. This Level IIIA high-cut helmet weighs only 2.8 lbs and includes a modular rail system for attaching night vision devices, communication headsets, and other tactical accessories. It also has an advanced moisture-wicking liner and an adjustable suspension system to ensure comfort and a secure fit during extended wear. Meeting and exceeding global protection standards, this helmet offers top-tier performance at an accessible price point, setting a new standard for protective headgear.

In January 2025, Double Tap Industries LLC, a US-based provider of tactical and ballistic protective equipment, acquired Caliber Armor for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition is intended to expand Double Tap Industries’ product portfolio and strengthen its presence in the ballistic protective gear market by incorporating Caliber Armor’s high-performance body armor and tactical protection solutions. Caliber Armor is a US-based provider of advanced ballistic protection products, including body armor, ballistic shields, helmets, and plate carriers, serving military, law enforcement, and security sectors.

Major companies operating in the ballistic protective gear market are BAE Systems plc, Safariland LLC, Point Blank Enterprises Inc., Australian Defence Apparel Pty Ltd., MKU Limited, U.S. Armor Corporation, Mehler Vario System GmbH, VestGuard UK Limited, HardShell FZE, MARS Armor Ltd., Indian Armour Systems Pvt. Ltd., Armored Republic LLC, Ningbo Dacheng Machine Tool Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Ballistic Body Armour, Premier Body Armor LLC, Anorak Hellas Ltd., MC Armor, Sarkar Tactical India Private Limited, PGD Body Armor, SMPP Limited.

North America was the largest region in the ballistic protective gear market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the ballistic protective gear 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 Kevlar fibers, ceramic plates, polyethylene composites, and specialized components have increased manufacturing costs for ballistic protective gear, particularly affecting body armor and helmets in Asia-Pacific and Europe. These tariffs disrupt supply chains and raise procurement challenges but also encourage domestic sourcing, enhance local manufacturing capacity, and promote innovation in lightweight and cost-efficient protective materials.

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

Ballistic protective gear is specialized equipment designed to prevent penetration and absorb the force from threats like bullets or explosive fragments. It uses advanced materials and structural designs to shield critical parts of the body during dangerous situations.

The primary categories of ballistic gear consist of body armor, headgear, and shields. Body armor is protective wear aimed at absorbing or deflecting physical harm, including bullets, stabs, or blunt impacts, primarily protecting the torso. These items are made from materials such as Kevlar, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), ceramics, steel, and composites. They are sold through various channels, including online stores, direct vendors, distributors, specialty shops, and government contracts. This gear finds use in numerous fields like military combat, crowd management, security surveillance, transportation safety, and sports, supporting users such as military personnel, police, private security, civilians, and industrial workers.

The countries covered in the ballistic protective gear market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The ballistic protective gear market consists of sales of bullet-resistant vests or plate carriers, helmets, face shields, gloves, and tactical boots. 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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