Ground-based Laser Designator Market Report 2026

The ground-based laser designator market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.24 billion in 2025 to $1.37 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to advancements in laser rangefinder and targeting technologies, increasing adoption in military target acquisition and precision strike operations, development of thermal imaging and optical sighting modules, growth in operator training and battlefield coordination programs, rising demand for ruggedized and portable designator systems.

The ground-based laser designator market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.96 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expansion of battlefield integration and coordination services, adoption of automated and AI-assisted targeting technologies, increasing investment in system maintenance, calibration, and operator training, integration with unmanned and manned platforms for enhanced strike accuracy, collaborations between defense contractors and armed forces for mission-specific designator solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include integration of multi-spectral targeting for enhanced precision, development of ruggedized and portable laser designators for field operations, expansion of vehicle-mounted laser systems for armored and utility platforms, advanced thermal imaging and laser rangefinder modules, growth in operator training and battlefield coordination services.

The increasing demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is expected to boost the growth of the ground-based laser designator market. UAVs are aircraft that operate without a human pilot onboard, either remotely controlled or flying autonomously. Their rising popularity stems from expanded use in surveillance and precision strike operations, as defense forces aim to reduce risks to personnel during combat. Ground-based laser designators enhance UAV capabilities by accurately marking targets, enabling precise weapon guidance and sensor operation, which improves strike accuracy and supports reconnaissance and mission coordination in challenging combat scenarios. For example, in March 2024, the State Council of the People’s Republic of China reported that the number of licensed UAVs reached 1.27 million in 2023, marking a 32.2% increase from 2022. Thus, the growing demand for UAVs is driving the expansion of the ground-based laser designator market.

Increasing geopolitical tensions are expected to drive the growth of the ground-based laser designator market. These tensions involve political and military disputes between countries that create instability and uncertainty. As nations compete for scarce natural resources, strategic rivalries intensify, raising the possibility of territorial conflicts. Ground-based laser designators enhance military precision by accurately guiding airstrikes and artillery, reducing collateral damage while boosting defense effectiveness and acting as a strategic deterrent in areas with escalating geopolitical friction. For example, in February 2024, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported that conflict-related deaths rose from 153,100 in 2022 to 170,700 in 2023, indicating increased conflict severity in several regions worldwide. Consequently, the growth of the ground-based laser designator market is being driven by rising geopolitical tensions.

In November 2024, Teledyne Technologies, a U.S.-based aerospace and defense instrumentation and electronics company, acquired select aerospace and defense electronics businesses from Excelitas Technologies Corp. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Teledyne Technologies aims to expand its aerospace and defense electronics portfolio with advanced optical and electronic technologies for displays, night vision, and space applications. Excelitas Technologies is a U.S.-based technology company that provides components for ground-based laser designators.

Major companies operating in the ground-based laser designator market are Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems plc, Thales Group, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., Textron Inc., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Rheinmetall AG, Elbit Systems Ltd., Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Saab AB, BEL, Aselsan A.S., Hensoldt AG, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., nLight Inc., RPMC Lasers Inc.

North America was the largest region in the ground based laser designator market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the ground-based laser designator 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 laser components, optics, and thermal imaging modules have raised production costs and delayed delivery schedules for ground-based laser designators, particularly impacting portable and vehicle-mounted systems sourced from Asia and Europe. High-tech subsegments such as multi-spectral laser designators and precision optical modules are most affected. However, tariffs are driving manufacturers to explore local production, increase domestic supply chain resilience, and invest in cost-optimized, indigenously developed laser targeting systems.

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

A ground-based laser designator is a device that projects a concentrated laser beam to accurately identify a target, allowing guided weapons, missiles, or aircraft to strike precisely. It supports military missions by enhancing accuracy, reducing collateral damage, and increasing operational effectiveness. These systems are extensively employed by armed forces for battlefield observation, target detection, and smooth coordination among units.

The primary categories of ground-based laser designators include portable units, vehicle-mounted units, and fixed installations. Portable laser designators are compact, handheld tools that offer frontline personnel quick, adaptable, and mobile target-marking capabilities for directing precision attacks. They employ various technologies, such as infrared lasers, visible light lasers, and multi-spectral lasers, with range options spanning short, medium, and long distances. These designators are useful in several contexts, including ground troops and air support, and are utilized by a variety of users across the defense, aerospace, and commercial sectors.

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

The ground-based laser designator market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as battlefield coordination, equipment maintenance and calibration, operator training programs, and system integration services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The ground-based laser designator market also includes sales of laser rangefinders, thermal imaging modules, power supply units, ruggedized control consoles, and optical sighting 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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