Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon (NLAW) Market Global Report 2026

The next generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW) market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.03 billion in 2025 to $1.12 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in military modernization programs, increasing deployment of infantry anti-armor capabilities, rising procurement of portable battlefield weapon systems, expansion of defense spending across NATO and allied nations, growing focus on countering advanced armored vehicle threats.

The next generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW) market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.55 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in next-generation infantry weapon systems, rising demand for enhanced battlefield survivability solutions, growing emphasis on mobile and expeditionary combat operations, expansion of defense procurement programs for anti-armor capabilities, increasing focus on strengthening territorial defense and deterrence strategies. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for lightweight and highly portable anti-armor weapon systems, growing adoption of top-attack capabilities against modern armored vehicles, rising focus on rapid-response infantry anti-tank solutions, expanding procurement of disposable and single-use anti-armor systems, increasing emphasis on urban warfare and close-range combat effectiveness.

The rising geopolitical tensions are expected to propel the growth of the next-generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW) market going forward. Geopolitical tensions refer to political, military, and territorial conflicts between countries that increase national security concerns and defense preparedness requirements. Rising geopolitical tensions are driven by escalating territorial disputes over strategic regions, borders, and maritime zones, along with intensified military activity, economic sanctions, and instability in global trade and security systems. The next-generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW) supports responses to geopolitical tensions by providing lightweight, high-precision anti-armor capability that enhances infantry combat effectiveness and accelerates the adoption of advanced tactical weapon systems worldwide. For instance, in July 2024, according to The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a US-based non-profit organization, over 165,273 political violence events were recorded globally, reflecting a 15% increase from July 2023 to June 2024. Therefore, rising geopolitical tensions are driving the growth of the next-generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW) market.

The growing defense modernization programs are expected to propel the growth of the next-generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW) market going forward. Defense modernization programs refer to government-led initiatives aimed at upgrading military equipment, weapon systems, and combat technologies to enhance operational effectiveness and national security preparedness. These programs are increasing due to rising geopolitical tensions and evolving battlefield threats that require armed forces to replace legacy systems with advanced portable weapon technologies. Next-generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW) systems support defense modernization by improving infantry mobility, precision strike capability, and rapid-response effectiveness against advanced armored threats through lightweight, fire-and-forget technology. For instance, in March 2023, according to the Offices of the Under Secretaries of Defense (OUSD), a US-based Department of Defense authority, the fiscal year 2024 cybersecurity and acquisition (CA) budget of $13.5 billion is intended to further advance the roadmap established under the Digital Modernization Strategy (DMS) and the Department of Defense Cyber Strategy. Therefore, growing defense modernization programs are driving the growth of the next-generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW) market.

Major companies operating in the next-generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW) market are focusing on developing advanced anti-armor missile systems to improve targeting accuracy, mobility, and combat efficiency in modern warfare environments. An anti-armor missile system is a guided weapon designed to destroy armored vehicles such as tanks using precision targeting and high-explosive warheads to enhance battlefield effectiveness. For instance, in January 2024, Saab Bofors Dynamics, a Sweden-based manufacturing company, launched the NLAW Anti-Tank Weapon System to enhance short-range anti-armor combat capabilities, improve fire-and-forget targeting efficiency, and strengthen infantry effectiveness against modern armored threats in battlefield operations. The next-generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW) system features a fire-and-forget guidance mechanism with Predicted Line of Sight (PLOS) technology, enabling operators to engage armored targets quickly without continuous tracking.

Major companies operating in the next generation light anti-tank weapon (nlaw) market are Saab AB; Thales Group.

North America was the largest region in the next-generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW) market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the next generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW) market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the next generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW) market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The next-generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW) market consists of sales of missile guidance systems, HEAT warheads, launch tubes, optical sight units, and inertial measurement units (IMUs). 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.

The next generation light anti-tank weapon (nlaw) market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides next generation light anti-tank weapon (nlaw) market statistics, including next generation light anti-tank weapon (nlaw) industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a next generation light anti-tank weapon (nlaw) market share, detailed next generation light anti-tank weapon (nlaw) market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the next generation light anti-tank weapon (nlaw) industry. This next generation light anti-tank weapon (nlaw) 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.

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