Smart Textiles for Military Market Report 2026

The smart textiles for military market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $3.07 billion in 2025 to $3.48 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to adoption of wearable monitoring systems, development of electroactive and conductive fabrics, integration with protective clothing, growth in soldier safety and performance programs, advancement in adaptive camouflage textiles.

The smart textiles for military market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.88 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to development of fully integrated sensor and navigation fabrics, expansion in smart armor applications, integration with AI for real-time physiological monitoring, adoption in extreme environmental operations, growth in multifunctional protective and adaptive clothing. Major trends in the forecast period include growing development of lightweight high-durability combat fabrics, increasing integration of on-uniform physiological monitoring systems, expansion of adaptive camouflage and thermal signature management, rising adoption of energy-harvesting military wearables, strengthening emphasis on enhanced ballistic and blast protection.

The rising exposure to chemical and biological threats is expected to enhance the growth of the smart textiles for military market going forward. Chemical and biological threats refer to the use or potential use of hazardous chemical substances or biological agents such as toxins, viruses, or bacteria that can harm human health, animals, plants, or the environment, often in the context of warfare, terrorism, or accidental exposure. Exposure to these threats is increasing due to rapid industrialization, which results in higher production and wider use of hazardous substances, thereby heightening the risk of accidental or intentional release into the environment. Smart textiles for military address chemical and biological threats by incorporating protective materials and embedded sensors that detect, neutralize, or shield against harmful agents. For instance, in June 2025, according to a report published by the United Nations, a US-based intergovernmental organization, from February 2023 to June 2025, there were 9,712 documented cases of Russian occupation forces using munitions containing hazardous chemical agents, including riot control agents, as a method of warfare. Therefore, the rising exposure to chemical and biological threats is enhancing the growth of the smart textiles for military market.

Prominent companies in the smart textiles for military market are emphasizing the development of advanced solutions such as moisture-wicking fabrics to improve soldier comfort, endurance, and operational performance in demanding environments. Moisture-wicking fabrics are specialized textiles that pull perspiration away from the skin and transfer it to the outer layer of the fabric, where it evaporates, keeping the wearer dry while regulating body temperature, minimizing chafing, and enhancing comfort during extended missions. For example, in April 2024, Heathcoat Fabrics Limited, a UK-based manufacturing company, introduced Drytec, a patent-pending surface-to-surface moisture-wicking spacer fabric created specifically for military applications. Drytec effectively channels moisture away from the skin and disperses it across the fabric’s surface while integrating advanced breathability and rapid-drying capabilities to help maintain optimal body temperature and performance in extreme conditions. Designed for durability and abrasion resistance, it meets the demanding standards of military use, while its lightweight structure ensures flexibility and ease of movement. The fabric’s innovative construction enhances long-term wearability by reducing the risk of skin irritation, chafing, and heat-related stress, thereby improving the safety, comfort, and overall effectiveness of soldiers across diverse operational settings.

In October 2024, Shanghai Sunwin Industry Group Co. Ltd., a China-based home textile company, acquired Outlast Technologies GmbH for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Sunwin aims to strengthen its capabilities in research, development, and application of advanced materials, foster creative product design, and accelerate technological innovation and global expansion. Outlast Technologies GmbH is a Germany-based company that develops thermoregulation and insulation technologies for military gear, designed to enhance comfort and performance by maintaining optimal body temperature.

Major companies operating in the smart textiles for military market are BAE Systems plc, Sioen Industries NV, Teijin Limited (Teijin Aramid), DuPont de Nemours Inc., TenCate Protective Fabrics, WL Gore & Associates Inc., Milliken & Company, Schoeller Textil AG, Noble Biomaterials Inc., Mide Technology Corporation, Myant Inc., Bally Ribbon Mills, Nano Dimension Ltd., BeBop Sensors, Advanced Fabric Technology LLC, Ohmatex A/S, Outlast Technologies LLC, MMI Textiles Inc., Hexoskin, Loomia Inc., Elitac Wearables BV, Directa Plus S.p.A, Nautilus Defense, Texas Instruments (TI) Inc., Toray Industries Inc., Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp.

North America was the largest region in the smart textiles for military market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the smart textiles for military 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 are increasing production costs in the smart textiles for military market by raising the prices of imported conductive fibers, nanomaterials, electronic components, and advanced polymers used in textile integration. Segments most affected include conductive textiles, sensor-integrated fabrics, and smart armor systems, especially across North America and Europe, which rely heavily on Asian material suppliers. However, tariffs are encouraging localized manufacturing, domestic material sourcing, and accelerated innovation in next-generation military textile technologies, contributing to stronger supply chain resilience.

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

Smart textiles for military refer to advanced fabrics developed to enhance soldier performance, comfort, and protection. These textiles can monitor physiological parameters, adapt to environmental conditions, and provide features such as camouflage and defense capabilities. They combine functionality with durability to improve safety, efficiency, and operational effectiveness in demanding military environments.

The major types in the smart textiles for military market include passive smart textiles, active smart textiles, and ultra-smart textiles. Passive smart textiles are fabrics that exhibit functional properties inherently, without requiring any external power or stimuli for operation. The key raw materials include conductive fibers, phase change materials, nanofibers, and smart polymers. Major applications cover camouflage, ballistic protection, energy harvesting, health monitoring, and others, serving end users such as the army, navy, air force, and special forces.

The countries covered in the smart textiles for military market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The smart textiles for military market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as research and development, design and prototyping, testing and certification, maintenance and repair. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The smart textiles for military market also consists of sales of electroactive fabrics, smart armor and protective clothing, smart sensors, conductive textiles, and integrated navigation fabrics. 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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