Military Frigates Market Report 2026

The military frigates market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $29.27 billion in 2025 to $30.91 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased naval fleet expansions, adoption of missile and anti-submarine technologies, integration of electronic warfare systems, growth in global maritime security operations, development of stealth and modular frigate designs.

The military frigates market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $38.91 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to deployment of next-generation stealth frigates, integration with unmanned naval systems, adoption of advanced command and control technologies, expansion of export and collaborative naval programs, use of hybrid propulsion and energy-efficient systems. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for multi-mission frigate platforms, growing integration of advanced stealth hull designs, expansion of long-range maritime surveillance capabilities, rising adoption of modular weapon and sensor upgrades, strengthening focus on blue-water naval force projection.

The rising maritime territorial disputes are expected to accelerate the growth of the military frigates market going forward. Maritime territorial disputes refer to conflicts or disagreements between nations regarding the ownership, control, or use of sea areas, including territorial waters, exclusive economic zones, and maritime boundaries. The increase in maritime territorial disputes arises from overlapping national claims over sea boundaries, resulting in tensions over control of marine resources, strategic waterways, and exclusive zones. Military frigates play a vital role in addressing these disputes by asserting naval presence, protecting national waters, and deterring unauthorized incursions or threats. For instance, in May 2025, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a Switzerland based United Nations agency, around 427 Rohingya refugees lost their lives at sea in two separate boat incidents off the coast of Myanmar. Therefore, the rising maritime territorial disputes are accelerating the growth of the military frigates market.

Leading companies operating in the military frigates market are focusing on adopting cutting-edge technologies such as stealth technology to improve survivability and minimize detectability in hostile environments. Stealth technology involves the use of specialized design and materials to reduce a vessel’s radar, sonar, and sensor signatures, allowing it to evade detection, lower the risk of attack, and enhance mission effectiveness. For instance, in July 2025, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., a Japan-based manufacturing company, launched the 11th Mogami-class multirole frigate, Tatsuta, for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The frigate incorporates advanced stealth features, a compact hull structure, and modern missile systems to ensure greater survivability and versatility in contested maritime zones. Equipped with a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion system, the Tatsuta can achieve speeds exceeding 30 knots. Its efficient design and advanced automation allow it to operate with a small crew of around 90 personnel, making it well-suited for extended deployments and rapid response operations in Japan’s territorial waters.

In June 2025, Naval Group SA, a France-based naval defense company specializing in military frigate production, partnered with Westcon Yards AS to establish a strategic cooperation in support of Norway’s future frigate program. Through this partnership, Naval Group SA and Westcon Yards AS aim to develop a robust Norwegian maritime and defense support ecosystem that ensures high operational availability and lifecycle support for Norway’s upcoming FDI frigates. The collaboration also seeks to strengthen long-term industrial partnerships, enhance Norway’s naval defense capabilities, and foster a resilient, sovereign, and future-ready maritime defense cluster. Westcon Yards AS is a Norway-based shipyard that provides naval maintenance, repair, and industrial support services.

Major companies operating in the military frigates market are BAE Systems Plc, Fincantieri S.p.A, Naval Group, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Damen Shipyards Group, Hanwha Ocean, Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), General Dynamics Corp., Huntington Ingalls Industries, Rosoboronexport, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Fr. Lürssen Werft GmbH And Co KG, Garden Reach Shipbuilders, Turkish Naval Shipyards, Navantia S.A, Goa Shipyard Limited, Babcock International, STM (Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) (Formerly Hyundai Heavy Industries), Israel Shipyards Ltd, K Shipbuilding Co Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the military frigates market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the military frigates 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 driving up production costs for military frigates by increasing expenses for imported steel, propulsion components, electronics, and weapon systems sourced across global supply chains. The most affected segments include propulsion systems, weapon systems, and sensor suites, particularly in regions dependent on foreign naval-grade materials such as Asia-Pacific and Europe. Despite rising costs, tariffs are encouraging nations to localize shipbuilding, strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity, and invest in indigenous naval technologies, supporting long-term self-reliance in frigate production.

The military frigates market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides military frigates market statistics, including military frigates industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a military frigates market share, detailed military frigates market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the military frigates industry. This military frigates 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 military frigate is a warship designed to protect other vessels and conduct anti-submarine, anti-air, and surface warfare operations. It is generally smaller and faster than a destroyer and equipped with advanced radar systems, missiles, and torpedoes. Frigates are highly versatile ships used for escort missions, patrolling, and maintaining naval presence in strategic regions, serving as essential assets for maritime security, surveillance operations, and rapid response to emerging threats.

The key types of military frigates include multi-role frigates, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigates, air defense frigates, gunnery frigates, and ballistic surface vessels (BSV). A multi-role frigate is a flexible ocean-going warship capable of performing multiple missions such as escort, defense, and maritime security through the integration of advanced sensors, weapons, and command systems. These vessels incorporate technologies such as combat management systems, sensors and surveillance, propulsion systems, weapon systems, and communication systems, and are deployed on both manned and unmanned platforms. They are used for applications including naval warfare, patrol missions, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), coastal surveillance, and training exercises, and are operated by naval defense forces, coast guards, private security firms, international organizations, and research institutions.

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

The military frigates market consists of sales of stealth frigates, patrol frigates, missile frigates, electronic warfare frigates, command and control frigates, hydrographic or survey frigates, logistics or support frigates, and experimental or technology test 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.

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