Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser Weapon Market Report 2026

The chemical oxygen iodine laser weapon market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.41 billion in 2025 to $1.56 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to initial laser weapon research programs, advancements in high-energy chemical lasers, growth in defense directed-energy programs, adoption in military testing and simulation, collaboration between defense contractors and governments.

The chemical oxygen iodine laser weapon market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.3 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to miniaturization of coil systems, integration into tactical missile defense platforms, growth in automated targeting systems, development of mobile coil weapon units, expansion in global defense laser adoption. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing development of mobile and modular coil weapon platforms, rising demand for long-range precision engagement capabilities, growth in chemical laser stabilization and thermal management technologies, enhanced use of fiber-coupled coil modules for compact weapon integration, expansion of multi-platform laser deployment programs across defense forces.

The rising defense budgets are expected to drive the growth of the chemical oxygen iodine laser weapon market in the coming years. Defense budgets represent the financial resources allocated by governments to support military operations, equipment procurement, research and development, and personnel costs for national security. Increasing defense spending is driven by escalating geopolitical tensions, as nations invest in military capabilities to safeguard their interests and strengthen deterrence. Programs for chemical oxygen iodine laser weapons rely on these budgets to fund fundamental research, long-term testing, specialized manufacturing, chemical handling and safety infrastructure, and platform integration and logistics, all of which are essential for development, demonstration, and potential deployment. For example, in March 2022, the US Department of Defense reported that the FY 2023 budget request of 773 billion US dollars represented a 4.1 percent increase, or 30.7 billion dollars, over the FY 2022 enacted amount. The growth in defense budgets is thus supporting the chemical oxygen iodine laser weapon market.

The rising geopolitical tensions are expected to propel the chemical oxygen iodine laser weapon market. Geopolitical tensions arise from conflicts and disputes between nations, creating international instability and security concerns. The increase in these tensions is primarily due to ongoing armed conflicts, political violence, and territorial disputes, which threaten global stability. As a result, nations are prioritizing advanced directed-energy defense systems, such as chemical oxygen iodine laser weapons, capable of intercepting missiles, drones, and projectiles to protect critical infrastructure and military assets. For example, from July 2023 to June 2024, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project recorded over 165,273 political violence incidents worldwide, a 15 percent increase from the previous year, exposing an estimated one in seven people globally to conflict. This growing geopolitical instability is driving demand for chemical oxygen iodine laser weapons.

The rise in drone swarm threats is expected to fuel the growth of the chemical oxygen iodine laser weapon market. Drone swarm threats involve coordinated groups of drones designed to overwhelm defenses, gather intelligence, or carry out attacks. These threats are increasing due to geopolitical conflicts, as nations develop and deploy unmanned systems for surveillance, deterrence, and offensive operations. Chemical oxygen iodine laser weapons provide an effective countermeasure by delivering precise, high-energy beams capable of rapidly neutralizing multiple unmanned aerial targets simultaneously. For instance, as of mid-2025, the United States has seen a significant surge in drone-related threats affecting aviation, infrastructure, and national security. In the first quarter of 2025, the FAA reported 411 unlawful drone incursions near US airports, a 25.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. The growth in drone swarm threats is therefore contributing to the expansion of the chemical oxygen iodine laser weapon market.

Major companies operating in the chemical oxygen iodine laser weapon market are The Boeing Company, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation Limited (CASIC), BAE Systems plc, Thales S.A., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., Leidos Holdings Inc., Corning Incorporated, Rheinmetall AG, Elbit Systems Ltd., Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., General Atomics, Thorlabs Inc., Radiance Technologies Inc., Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited, CU Aerospace LLC.

North America was the largest region in the chemical oxygen iodine laser weapon market in 2025. The regions covered in the chemical oxygen iodine laser weapon 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 precision optical components, chemical reactants, advanced manufacturing tools, and laser-grade materials have increased production costs and slowed development timelines across COIL weapon programs, especially in regions reliant on imports from Asia-Pacific. Ground-based, airborne, and naval segments are affected due to their need for high-specification optics and chemical inputs. At the same time, tariffs encourage domestic innovation, boost local manufacturing of directed-energy components, and strengthen long-term supply chain resilience.

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

A chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) weapon is a directed-energy device that generates a high-power laser beam through a chemical reaction between chlorine gas and a mixture of oxygen and iodine. It produces near-infrared laser radiation capable of delivering concentrated energy over long distances, potentially damaging targets by heating or ablating their surfaces. The system is engineered for rapid, precise engagement of objects without relying on conventional ammunition.

The primary types of chemical oxygen iodine laser weapons include ground-based, airborne, and naval systems. Ground-based systems are land-deployed directed-energy platforms intended to provide sustained, power-supported defense against aerial threats and to protect critical infrastructure. These systems are available in low-power, medium-power, and high-power output levels. They are employed in military operations, defense, and research and development, and are used by end-users such as armed forces, homeland security agencies, research institutes, and other organizations.

The countries covered in the chemical oxygen iodine laser weapon market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The chemical oxygen iodine laser weapon market consists of sales of laser designators, laser scanners, laser range finders, ring laser gyros, laser altimeters, and fiber-coupled COIL 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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