Multi-Purpose Frigate Global Market Report 2025

The multi-purpose frigate market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $19.78 billion in 2024 to $21.06 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth in the historic period resulted from increasing geopolitical tensions, expanding territorial disputes, rising naval modernization programs, growing global defense spending, and the continued expansion of naval fleets.

The multi-purpose frigate market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $26.88 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%. The growth in the forecast period is driven by a stronger focus on blue-water naval capabilities, increased investments in indigenous shipbuilding, a rising need for multi-domain operational readiness, heightened importance of sea lane protection, and the growth of naval alliances and partnerships. Key trends in the forecast period include advancements in radar and sonar systems, integration of stealth technologies, development of modular ship designs, innovations in electronic warfare systems, and research and development in autonomous naval platforms.

The increasing geopolitical tensions are expected to drive the growth of the multi-purpose frigate market in the coming years. Geopolitical tensions refer to heightened political, military, and strategic rivalries between nations that raise the risk of conflict, prompting governments to strengthen defense and security measures. These tensions are escalating due to rising defense budgets and intensifying regional conflicts, which demand a stronger naval presence and enhanced deterrence. Multi-purpose frigates play a crucial role in addressing these tensions by providing flexible naval capabilities, such as deterrence, power projection, surveillance, and escort missions, which contribute to maritime security and a stronger strategic presence. For example, in July 2024, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a U.S.-based non-profit organization, reported over 165,273 incidents of political violence between July 2023 and June 2024, marking a 15% increase from the previous year. As a result, the rising geopolitical tensions are driving the demand for multi-purpose frigates.

Companies in the multi-purpose frigate market are focusing on technological advancements, such as next-generation digital combat management systems, to gain a competitive edge. These systems are sophisticated digital command platforms that integrate sensors, weapons, and communication networks into a unified architecture, greatly enhancing situational awareness, decision-making speed, and operational resilience. For example, in November 2022, Naval Group SA, a France-based shipbuilder, launched the Amiral Ronarc’h frigate, a pioneering defense and intervention vessel. The frigate features a digital architecture that allows for continuous operational upgrades, dual onboard data centers for cyber-resilience, and an asymmetric threat coordination system to enhance combat readiness. These innovations improve mission adaptability, boost long-term operational efficiency, and support the integration of emerging technologies into future naval operations.

In March 2024, Lockheed Martin Corporation, a U.S.-based defense contractor and aerospace company, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Navantia SA to collaborate on advancing naval combat systems integration, particularly for the F-110 multi-mission frigate program. This partnership aims to enhance situational awareness and operational capabilities. Navantia SA, a Spain-based naval shipbuilder, is responsible for designing and building the F-110 multi-purpose frigates.

Major players in the multi-purpose frigate market are Damen Shipyards Group NV, Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmbH, BAE Systems plc, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Hyundai Heavy Industries Co.Ltd., China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, Naval Group SA, SAAB AB, HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. Ltd., Vard Brăila S.A., Fincantieri S.p.A., Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Lürssen Werft GmbH & Co. KG, ASC Pty Ltd, Cochin Shipyard Limited, Navantia S.A., Osborne Naval Shipyard Pty Ltd, Ulstein Group AS, China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited, Austal Limited, Goa Shipyard Limited, and Lungteh Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the multi-purpose frigate market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in multi-purpose frigate report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and 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.

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.

The multi-purpose frigate market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides multi-purpose frigate market statistics, including multi-purpose frigate industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a multi-purpose frigate market share, detailed multi-purpose frigate market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the multi-purpose frigate industry. The multi-purpose frigate market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The multi-purpose frigate is a flexible naval warship designed to carry out a wide range of maritime operations, including anti-submarine, anti-air, and surface warfare. It incorporates advanced weapons, sensors, and communication systems to improve situational awareness and combat effectiveness. These frigates are built to operate efficiently in varied environments, from open seas to coastal regions. Their versatility enables navies to address multiple threats with a single platform.

The primary types in the multi-purpose frigate market include guided missile frigates, anti-submarine frigates, and general-purpose frigates. Guided missile frigates are multi-purpose vessels equipped with sophisticated missile systems, capable of gathering, processing, and analyzing data through radar, sonar, and communication networks to ensure real-time situational awareness and combat readiness. The technologies used include stealth and conventional systems. Their applications cover anti-submarine operations, escort missions, patrols, investigations, and more, and they are employed by various end-users, such as naval forces, coast guards, and others.

The countries covered in the multi-purpose frigate market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The multi-purpose frigate market consists of sales of escort frigates, patrol frigates, reconnaissance frigates, surveillance frigates, and mine-countermeasure frigates. 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.

This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.