Programmable Ammunition - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

The Programmable Ammunition Market size is estimated at USD 3.18 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 4.25 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 5.99% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Key Highlights

• The programmable ammunition market is poised to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The rising demand for precision-guided munitions and the need to minimize collateral damage in military operations are among the factors that will lead to noteworthy growth in the future.
• Furthermore, technological advancements in terms of miniaturization and growing developments in sensor technology, as well as communication systems, will lead to the market witnessing growth in the years to come.
• On the other hand, the high development costs of programmable ammunition will hamper the market's growth in the long run. Additionally, an increase in cross-domain integration will create new business opportunities, leading to significant market growth in the near future.

Programmable Ammunition Market Trends

Medium Caliber Segment Will Showcase Remarkable Growth During the Forecast Period

• Medium caliber ammunition includes 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, and 40 mm armor-piercing rounds. These possess the capability to defeat light armor, materials, as well as personnel targets. The significant growth in the number of active defense personnel globally, coupled with the changing nature of modern warfare, has led to an increase in the demand for the acquisition of technologically advanced medium-caliber ammunition by the global defense forces.
• Moreover, various manufacturers of medium caliber ammunition, in recent years, have increased their efforts to integrate advanced technologies such as sensors, microprocessors, and communication systems to meet the requirements of the global defense forces. For instance, in January 2023, Rheinmetall announced receiving contracts worth USD 32 million with two European NATO customers to supply their armed forces with 40mm ammunition. Under the contracts, Rheinmetall would supply 300,000 rounds of 40mm ammunition, including low and high-velocity variants, and 45,000 programmable cartridges in 40mm x 53 HV HE-T ABM (High-velocity High Explosive-Tracer Airburst Munition) caliber in the first half of 2024 to the same customer.
• Moreover, the other European NATO customers will be supplied with around 10,000 rounds of the same type of ammunition to be used in combat drones. Therefore, the growth in the acquisition of technologically advanced programmable medium caliber ammunition for global military modernization will lead to the market witnessing significant growth during the forecast period.

North America to Dominate the Market During the Forecast Period

• North America held the highest shares in the market. It continued its domination during the forecast period, driven by factors such as the growth in defense expenditure within the region and the increasing need to acquire technologically advanced ammunition to strengthen defense capabilities, providing a boost to the programmable ammunition market in North America.
• According to the data presented by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the defense expenditure of the US amounted to USD 876.94 billion in 2022. The changing nature of global warfare has led various defense ammunition manufacturing companies within the North American region to invest heavily in terms of research to develop new-generation advanced ammunition that supports the requirements of the defense forces.
• For instance, in October 2023, Northrop Gruman announced that the US Navy awarded them a development contract for the newly designed 57mm guided high explosive ammunition, which is designated to be used with the Mk110 Naval Gun Mount. Moreover, the guided ammunition can maneuver in-flight and features an on-board seeker, which helps to pinpoint moving targets and incorporates a fuze that can self-select for either proximity or point-detonation mode to defeat the intended target.

Programmable Ammunition Industry Overview

The programmable ammunition market is fragmented, with various players such as BAE Systems plc, Rheinmetall AG, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Nammo AS, and RTX Corporation vying for a larger market share on a global scale. These major players are now engaged in the development of technologically advanced programmable ammunitions, leading to product differentiation and helping defense forces worldwide gain a competitive edge amidst the changing global warfare scenario.

Furthermore, companies are also focusing on partnering with various defense forces worldwide to increase their customer base and capture significant market share. Moreover, the integration of advanced sensors for ammunition will also lead to generating huge opportunities for new players to enter the market, thereby driving market growth during the forecast period.

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