Military Aircraft Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Military Aircraft Market is projected to expand from USD 64.94 Billion in 2025 to USD 87.42 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 5.08%. This sector encompasses the engineering, acquisition, and maintenance of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aviation assets tailored for aerial combat, tactical airlift, and surveillance operations. Key factors propelling this growth include escalating geopolitical instability and the imperative for nations to upgrade outdated fleets with operationally advanced platforms. Furthermore, increasing defense budgets dedicated to strategic air dominance and rapid deployment capabilities are driving substantial procurement initiatives worldwide, distinct from technological shifts such as the integration of unmanned systems.

Conversely, the market confronts a major obstacle in the form of enduring supply chain interruptions, which lead to manufacturing delays and cost overruns for leading industry players. These logistical hurdles, frequently involving specialized raw materials and intricate components, disrupt delivery timelines and impede the effective execution of defense contracts. Data from the Aerospace Industries Association indicates that in 2024, United States aerospace and defense exports achieved a total value of $138.7 billion, demonstrating the persistent strength of international demand even amidst these significant industrial difficulties.

Market Drivers

Increasing global defense spending and military procurement budgets serve as the principal engine for the military aircraft market, allowing countries to finance extensive acquisition strategies. This fiscal expansion facilitates the creation of next-generation platforms and the incorporation of sophisticated avionics as governments place a premium on air superiority. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), April 2024, in the 'Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2023' Fact Sheet, total global military spending hit $2.44 trillion in 2023, marking a real-term rise of 6.8 percent. This upward trend is evident within alliances; NATO projected that in 2024, 23 member states would satisfy the alliance's benchmark of investing at least 2 percent of their Gross Domestic Product in defense, thereby reinforcing procurement efforts.

Concurrently, intensifying geopolitical frictions and regional security risks are compelling armed forces to hasten the modernization and replacement of aging aircraft inventories. As security conditions worsen in Eastern Europe and the Indo-Pacific, nations are rushing to bolster their aerial combat capabilities by acquiring multi-role fighters. This operational necessity has resulted in substantial backlogs for major defense contractors. For instance, Lockheed Martin reported a backlog of $165.69 billion in its 'Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results' released in October 2024, highlighting the enduring demand for platforms like the F-35. As a result, the combination of heightened threat assessments and fleet obsolescence guarantees a continued growth trajectory for the industry.

Market Challenges

The Global Military Aircraft Market is currently struggling with critical supply chain disruptions that directly inhibit its growth prospects. This issue largely stems from severe shortages of essential raw materials, including titanium and aluminum, as well as a lack of specialized components such as semiconductors and propulsion units. These deficits cause significant bottlenecks in production, compelling original equipment manufacturers to lengthen lead times and postpone the finalization of complex aerial systems. Consequently, even with strong market demand and record-high order backlogs, the inability to transform these orders into delivered assets limits revenue generation and retards the overall expansion of the sector.

The consequences of these logistical barriers are substantial and measurable across the wider defense and aerospace industrial landscape. According to ADS Group, in 2024, aircraft deliveries fell by 14 percent during the first half of the year relative to the same timeframe in 2023, a decline primarily blamed on these enduring supply chain limitations. This drop in production highlights how manufacturing inefficiencies are hindering the market's ability to satisfy the pressing modernization needs of global armed forces. By delaying the transfer of crucial tactical and strategic assets, these disruptions not only postpone financial gains for manufacturers but also create difficulties for the long-term fleet planning and operational readiness of defense clients.

Market Trends

The advancement of Sixth-Generation Fighter Aircraft Programs represents a strategic shift toward a "family of systems" that incorporates superior stealth, variable-cycle engines, and hyper-connectivity. Leading aerospace manufacturers are moving from conceptual phases to production for platforms such as the U.S. Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD), aiming to succeed aging fifth-generation fleets. As reported by Thomson Reuters, March 2025, in the 'Pentagon set to award US Air Force's next-generation fighter jet contract, sources say' article, the U.S. Department of Defense is furthering this effort with an engineering and manufacturing development contract worth over $20 billion. This substantial investment highlights the emphasis on creating assets designed to breach heavily defended anti-access environments.

Simultaneously, the integration of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities is reshaping fleet operations by coupling piloted fighters with autonomous "loyal wingmen" to create affordable mass. This development enables unmanned units to conduct high-risk electronic warfare and strike missions under the direction of human pilots, vastly extending sensor range without endangering personnel. According to DefenseScoop, June 2025, in the 'Pentagon's 2026 budget plan includes more than $4B for next-generation Air Force fighter jets' article, the U.S. Air Force designated $804 million for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program within its fiscal 2026 budget. This allocation facilitates the accelerated production of autonomous systems intended to offset numerical disparities in potential conflicts with near-peer adversaries.

Key Players Profiled in the Military Aircraft Market

• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• The Boeing Company
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Airbus S.A.S.
• Dassault Aviation SA
• Saab AB
• Embraer S.A.
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• United Aircraft Corporation
• Korea Aerospace Industries Co., Ltd.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Military Aircraft Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Military Aircraft Market, by Type:

• Fixed Wing
• Rotorcraft

Military Aircraft Market, by Application:

• Military Transport
• Cargo Supply
• Others

Military Aircraft Market, by Payload:

• Below 50 Tons
• 51 Tons to 100 Tons
• 101 Tons
• Above

Military Aircraft Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Military Aircraft Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.