Anti-Swarming Laser Defense Market Report 2026

The anti-swarming laser defense market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.37 billion in 2025 to $1.6 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing threats from drone swarms in military operations, advancements in high-energy laser and directed-energy technologies, rising defense budgets for counter-UAV systems, early adoption of integrated sensor and command solutions, collaborations between defense contractors and technology providers.

The anti-swarming laser defense market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.94 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to development of higher-power, rapid-targeting laser systems, integration with ai and autonomous threat detection, expansion of deployment in military and critical infrastructure protection, rising demand for modular and scalable anti-swarming solutions, emphasis on maintenance, simulation, and upgrade services for lifecycle optimization. Major trends in the forecast period include rapid advancements in directed-energy weapon technology, integration of multi-sensor fusion for enhanced target detection, increasing demand for scalable and modular defense solutions, growing focus on counter-uav and anti-drone capabilities, enhanced power management and cooling systems for high-energy lasers.

Rising defense budgets are expected to drive the growth of the anti-swarming laser defense market. Defense budgets represent the portion of a government’s resources allocated to maintaining and developing military forces, equipment, and operations. These budgets are increasing due to heightened geopolitical tensions, prompting governments to enhance military readiness. Anti-swarming laser defense systems provide cost-effective, advanced solutions to counter drone swarm threats, enabling efficient use of increased military spending for next-generation defense capabilities. For example, in May 2025, the UK Parliament's House of Commons Library reported that UK defense spending is projected to reach approximately $70.5 billion (£56.9 billion) in the 2024-25 financial year and $73.9 billion (£59.8 billion) in 2025-26. Consequently, rising defense budgets are expected to support market growth in anti-swarming laser defense systems.

Leading companies in the anti-swarming laser defense market are developing innovative solutions such as airborne high-power laser systems to effectively counter and neutralize large numbers of hostile drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) simultaneously, enhancing defense capabilities against evolving aerial threats. An airborne high-power laser system is a directed-energy weapon mounted on an aircraft that employs concentrated laser beams to detect, track, and neutralize airborne or ground targets with precision. It offers advantages such as speed-of-light engagement, reduced collateral damage, and potentially lower per-shot costs compared to conventional munitions. For example, in February 2025, Elbit Systems, an Israel-based defense technology company, launched the REINDEER airborne high-power laser system. The system is designed to protect aircraft from drone swarms and other threats, featuring 360-degree hemispherical coverage, a compact design suitable for integration on various aerial platforms, and a high-power laser effector capable of hard-kill interceptions at range.

In November 2024, AeroVironment, Inc., a U.S.-based defense contractor, acquired BlueHalo LLC for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, AeroVironment, Inc. aims to strengthen its position as a global defense technology leader by integrating capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains, fostering innovation, enhancing customer partnerships, and advancing multi-domain operational effectiveness. BlueHalo LLC is a U.S.-based aerospace and defense company that develops and provides anti-swarming laser defense systems.

Major companies operating in the anti-swarming laser defense market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., BAE Systems plc, Rheinmetall AG, Elbit Systems Ltd., Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Aselsan A.S., Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG, Bharat Electronics Limited, QinetiQ Group plc, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc., Anduril Industries Inc., BlueHalo Inc., nLIGHT Inc., Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited, DroneShield Limited, Echodyne Corporation, Fortem Technologies Inc.

North America was the largest region in the anti-swarming laser defense market in 2025. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the anti-swarming laser defense 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 have introduced both challenges and opportunities for the anti-swarming laser defense market by disrupting global supply chains of critical components such as lasers, sensors, and power systems. Increased costs and delays particularly impact manufacturing hubs in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, affecting segments like airborne and naval-based systems the most due to their complex component requirements. However, tariffs have also encouraged localization of production and accelerated innovation in cost-effective laser technologies, potentially strengthening domestic supply chains and boosting competitiveness in key regions.

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

An anti-swarming laser defense system is a directed-energy weapon designed to counter drone swarms. It employs high-energy lasers to disable or destroy multiple small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) attacking in coordinated formations. The system can engage numerous targets rapidly, effectively neutralizing swarms that aim to overwhelm traditional defenses with large numbers of low-cost drones. This technology is particularly valuable for military and security applications, providing a scalable, precise solution with minimal collateral damage.

The main types of anti-swarming laser defense systems include ground-based, naval-based, airborne, and other variants. Ground-based systems consist of terrestrial infrastructures and equipment that support operations such as communication, navigation, surveillance, control, or data processing. Laser types include fiber lasers, solid-state lasers, chemical lasers, and others. Platforms can be fixed, mobile, or portable. Applications cover military, homeland security, and critical infrastructure protection, with end-users including defense, commercial, and government sectors.

The countries covered in the anti-swarming laser defense market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The anti-swarming laser defense market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as testing, simulation and training services, maintenance and upgrade services, research and development services, and integration and deployment services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The anti-swarming laser defense market also includes sales of integrated command and control software, sensor and radar systems, and power and cooling subsystems. 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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