Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Market Report 2026

The intercontinental ballistic missile market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $12.02 billion in 2025 to $12.78 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to cold war-era nuclear deterrence programs, advancements in long-range propulsion systems, development of precision guidance technologies, growth in strategic defense budgets, adoption of advanced reentry vehicle designs.

The intercontinental ballistic missile market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $16.49 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to modernization of existing missile systems, integration with hypersonic technologies, adoption of enhanced stealth and countermeasure capabilities, expansion in missile defense compatibility, development of multi-warhead and flexible payload systems. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing development of next-generation guidance and navigation systems, growing focus on hypersonic icbm capabilities, expansion of hardened and mobile missile launch platforms, rising adoption of advanced propulsion technologies, strengthening emphasis on nuclear modernization programs.

The expansion of missile manufacturing is expected to accelerate the growth of the intercontinental ballistic missile market going forward. Missile manufacturing refers to the process of designing, producing, and assembling missiles, including engines, guidance systems, and warheads, to create fully functional weapons for defense and military applications. Missile manufacturing is increasing due to rising defense budgets, as nations allocate greater funding to strengthen military capabilities and enhance national security. The expansion of missile manufacturing enhances intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities by advancing propulsion systems, guidance technologies, and warhead integration, ensuring improved reliability, extended range, and higher precision in strategic long range deterrence. For instance, in July 2025, according to Deloitte (Energy and Industrials), a UK based multinational professional services network, the U.S. Department of Defense procurement and research and development budget for missiles and munitions rose 340 percent to 30.6 billion dollars in fiscal year 2024, indicating continued expansion in the global solid rocket market. Therefore, the expansion of missile manufacturing is accelerating the growth of the intercontinental ballistic missile market.

Key companies operating in the intercontinental ballistic missile market are focusing on developing innovative solutions such as land based intercontinental ballistic missiles to enhance strategic deterrence and improve rapid response capabilities. Land based intercontinental ballistic missiles are long range missiles launched from land platforms that can deliver warheads across continents with high precision for strategic deterrence. For instance, in May 2025, the United States Air Force, a U.S. based government department, launched its second unarmed Minuteman III, a land based intercontinental ballistic missile used as a strategic nuclear deterrent. It is a three stage, solid fuel missile standing about 18.2 meters tall, weighing roughly 79,432 pounds, and capable of traveling over 6,000 miles at speeds of approximately 15,000 mph. Originally designed to carry up to three nuclear warheads, current versions are configured to carry a single warhead in compliance with arms control agreements. The missile is housed in hardened underground silos and is supported by a network of launch control centers and airborne launch control systems to ensure readiness and command reliability.

In May 2025, the Cyber Innovation Center (CIC), a US-based research foundation, partnered with the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) and awarded a contract to Stottler Henke Associates to enhance software that assists missileers in managing intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) operations. This collaboration is designed to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced technological solutions by fostering collaboration among government, industry, academic, and military sectors. The initiative focuses on closing critical technology gaps and strengthening warfighter effectiveness. Stottler Henke Associates Inc. is a US-based software development company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven scheduling, decision-support, and training systems.

Major companies operating in the intercontinental ballistic missile market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, The Boeing Company, Raytheon Technologies Inc., China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), L3Harris Technologies Inc., Northrop Grumman Corporation, ArianeGroup, Israel Aerospace Industries, General Dynamics Corporation, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), NPO Mashinostroyeniya, Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology (MITT), Roscosmos State Corporation, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), State Rocket Center Makeyev (Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau)

North America was the largest region in the intercontinental ballistic missile market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the intercontinental ballistic missile 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 elevating production costs for ICBM systems by increasing prices of critical components such as propulsion materials, guidance electronics, composite structures, and launch-system hardware sourced globally. Segments most affected include propulsion systems, guidance modules, and command-and-control components, especially in regions reliant on imported aerospace-grade materials in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. However, tariffs are also encouraging domestic manufacturing expansion, strategic material stockpiling, and increased investment in national missile production capabilities, ultimately supporting long-term supply security.

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

An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) refer to a long-range missile engineered to travel extremely long distances, typically exceeding 5,500 kilometers, by following a high-arching ballistic trajectory that carries it into space before re-entering the atmosphere to strike its target. It is equipped with advanced propulsion and navigation technologies that enable it to traverse intercontinental distances with high speed and precision, making it a sophisticated strategic weapon.

The key types of intercontinental ballistic missiles include land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles, and air-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles. Land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles are long-range weapons launched from fixed silos or underground sites on land, intended to deliver nuclear or conventional warheads across continents. They employ various propulsion systems such as solid propulsion, liquid propulsion, and hybrid propulsion, and can carry different payload configurations, including a single warhead or multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV). They are deployed for various range categories, including short range, medium range, intermediate range, and intercontinental range, and are used in applications such as naval military defense and land military defense.

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

The intercontinental ballistic missile market consists of sales of missile launch systems, guidance systems, propulsion systems, reentry vehicles, warheads, command and control systems, and fuzes and arming mechanisms. 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 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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