Nuclear Missiles and Bombs Market Report 2026

The nuclear missiles and bombs market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $9.34 billion in 2025 to $9.82 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to cold war arms race, nuclear deterrence doctrine, geopolitical conflicts, missile technology advancement, strategic defense programs.

The nuclear missiles and bombs market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $11.85 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising geopolitical tensions, hypersonic weapon development, modernization of nuclear arsenals, missile defense competition, strategic deterrence investments. Major trends in the forecast period include modernization of nuclear deterrence systems, development of hypersonic delivery vehicles, increased focus on missile accuracy, expansion of submarine launched systems, integration of advanced command controls.

Increasing investments in defense systems are expected to drive the growth of the nuclear missiles and bombs market in the coming years. Defense systems encompass integrated technologies, strategies, and equipment designed to detect, prevent, or respond to threats against a nation’s military and civilian security. These investments are rising as countries aim to modernize their aging military infrastructure with advanced technologies such as unmanned systems, AI-powered platforms, and next-generation missile defenses to maintain strategic advantages. Such investments support nuclear missiles and bombs by improving delivery technologies, enhancing command and control systems, and ensuring the security and readiness of nuclear arsenals for effective deterrence. For example, in November 2023, a report from the UK Ministry of Defense revealed that the UK government spent $60.91 billion (£52.8 billion) on defense in 2022-23, increasing to $62.52 billion (£54.2 billion) in 2023-24. Thus, rising investments in defense systems are propelling growth in the nuclear missiles and bombs market.

Key players in the nuclear missiles and bombs market are focusing on developing advanced solutions such as nuclear cruise missiles to strengthen strategic deterrence, improve precision targeting, and extend operational range. Nuclear cruise missiles are long-range, jet-powered missiles equipped with nuclear warheads that fly at low altitudes and can maneuver mid-flight, making them challenging to detect and intercept. For instance, in June 2025, the United States Air Force unveiled the AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear cruise missile, intended to arm both the B-21 Raider and upgraded B-52 Stratofortress bombers as part of the modernization of the US nuclear triad. Developed by Raytheon, the LRSO will replace the aging AGM-86B Air Launched Cruise Missile, featuring advanced stealth capabilities, a range exceeding 1,500 miles, and the ability to penetrate sophisticated air defense systems from long distances. Its design includes a trapezoidal body, wedge-shaped nose, and folding wings, optimized for survivability in GPS-denied and electronically contested environments.

In July 2023, L3Harris Technologies, Inc., a US-based defense contractor, acquired Aerojet Rocketdyne for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to strengthen L3Harris’s defense industrial base, boost competition, and accelerate innovation in advanced propulsion and missile technologies to better address evolving national security challenges. Aerojet Rocketdyne is a US aerospace and defense company specializing in the design, development, and production of land- and sea-based nuclear ballistic missile systems.

Major companies operating in the nuclear missiles and bombs market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, The Boeing Company, General Dynamics Corporation, RTX Corporation, BAE Systems plc, Thales Group, MBDA Missile Systems, Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., Naval Group S.A., BWX Technologies Inc., Honeywell International Inc., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., Safran S.A., China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), Rostec State Corporation, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Bharat Dynamics Limited.

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

The nuclear missiles and bombs market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as nuclear deterrence, geopolitical influence, mutual defense commitments, crisis management, and conflict prevention. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The nuclear missiles and bomb market also includes sales of nuclear warheads, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, bombers and aircraft systems, and submarines. 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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