Ballistic Protective Gear Market Report 2025

The ballistic protective gear market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.16 billion in 2024 to $4.46 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The increase during the historic period is linked to a rise in terrorism, escalating military conflicts, the expansion of law enforcement agencies, higher government defense budgets, and elevated urban crime levels.

The ballistic protective gear market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.86 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. The expected growth in the forecast period is driven by increasing geopolitical tensions, higher demand from law enforcement, the expansion of the private security sector, the growth of counter-terrorism efforts, and greater awareness of personal safety. Key trends during this time include the adoption of smart technologies, utilization of advanced ceramics and composite materials, development of ergonomic and lightweight designs, tailoring of gear for specific threats, and the introduction of innovative protective equipment designed specifically for women.

The increasing prevalence of terrorism is expected to drive the growth of the ballistic protective gear market in the coming years. Terrorism involves the illegal use of violence or intimidation, particularly targeting civilians, to achieve political, religious, or ideological goals. This rise in terrorism is largely attributed to political instability, where weak governance, power vacuums, and civil unrest provide fertile ground for extremist groups to emerge and recruit. Ballistic protective gear plays a critical role in counter-terrorism efforts by protecting security forces from gunfire, explosions, and other ballistic hazards during dangerous missions, thereby enhancing their survivability, maintaining readiness, and enabling more confident and effective responses in hostile situations. For example, in December 2023, a report from the Institute for Economics and Peace, an Australia-based think tank, highlighted that terrorist attacks in 2022 were deadlier, with an average of 1.7 deaths per attack compared to 1.3 deaths in 2021. As a result, the rising incidence of terrorism is propelling growth in the ballistic protective gear market.

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 December 2022, NFM Group, a Norway-based supplier of protective gear and combat clothing, acquired Hexonia GmbH for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition aims to bolster NFM Group’s presence in the German and wider European defense markets, increase production capabilities, gain access to advanced protective technologies, and expand into new strategic regions. Hexonia GmbH is a German company specializing in combat clothing and ballistic protective equipment, including ballistic protective gear.

Major players 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 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in ballistic protective gear report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the ballistic protective gear 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.

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 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.

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 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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