Aircraft Gears Market– Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Platform (Commercial Aviation and Military Aviation), By Gear Type (Spur Gears, Bevel Gears, Helical Gears, Rack and Pinion Gears, and Others), By Application (Auxiliary Power Unit, Actuators, Pumps, Air Conditioning Compressors, and Others), By End User (Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Aftermarket), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 369.19 MIllion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.51%
Fastest Growing Segment	Aftermarket
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 509.34 MIllion

Market Overview

The Global Aircraft Gears Market will grow from USD 369.19 MIllion in 2025 to USD 509.34 MIllion by 2031 at a 5.51% CAGR. Aircraft gears are precision mechanical components designed to transmit torque and regulate speed between engine shafts and accessory drives or actuation systems within aerospace platforms. The market is primarily propelled by the escalating demand for new commercial vessels and increased military expenditure, which necessitates robust supply chains for both original equipment manufacturing and aftermarket replacements. According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), in 2024, the preliminary value of aircraft deliveries reached $31.2 billion, representing a 13.3% increase compared to the previous year.

Despite this positive trajectory, supply chain fragility remains a significant impediment to market expansion. The scarcity of high-grade raw materials and skilled labor continues to disrupt production schedules, creating bottlenecks that delay component delivery and increase manufacturing costs for gear suppliers globally.

Key Market Drivers

Rising global air passenger traffic is driving fleet expansion, significantly increasing the requirement for transmission components in commercial aviation. As airlines strive to meet the resurgence in travel demand, the procurement of new vessels has accelerated, necessitating robust production pipelines for engine accessory drives and actuation gears. According to the International Air Transport Association, January 2025, in its full-year passenger market analysis, global traffic increased by 10.4% in 2024 compared to the previous year. This volume growth translates into manufacturing pressure for component suppliers; for instance, according to Airbus, January 2025, in its annual delivery update, the company delivered 766 commercial aircraft to customers worldwide. These fleet additions ensure sustained demand for both OEM gear installation and future aftermarket support.

Surging defense budgets and military aviation modernization programs serve as a critical parallel driver, fostering demand for specialized high-strength gear systems. Geopolitical instability is prompting governments to allocate substantial capital toward the acquisition of next-generation fighter jets and rotorcraft, which rely on precision-engineered gearboxes for propulsion and lift. This elevated spending is evident in the order books of major defense contractors. According to GE Aerospace, January 2025, in its Fourth Quarter 2024 Results, orders within its Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment rose by 22% year-over-year, driven primarily by higher defense deliveries. Such capital injection enables the development of durable gear solutions essential for maintaining operational readiness in advanced military platforms.

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Key Market Challenges

Supply chain fragility, specifically the scarcity of high-grade raw materials and skilled labor, acts as a primary obstruction to the growth of the Global Aircraft Gears Market. Producing aerospace-grade gears requires specialized alloy steels and titanium, alongside a workforce capable of executing precision machining to micron-level tolerances. When these inputs are restricted, lead times for gear manufacturing extend significantly, preventing suppliers from meeting the aggressive delivery schedules required by engine and airframe manufacturers. This disruption creates a production ceiling, effectively capping market revenue growth because manufacturers cannot physically produce the necessary volume of components to satisfy the rising demand for new aircraft.

The impact of these supply constraints is quantified by the widening disparity between aircraft demand and actual production rates. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in 2024, the global backlog of unfulfilled commercial aircraft orders reached a record high of approximately 17,000 units. This accumulating backlog indicates that critical component suppliers are unable to scale output efficiently. Consequently, the gear market is prevented from fully capitalizing on the current aerospace upcycle, as revenue realization is delayed indefinitely until production capacities can align with order volumes.

Key Market Trends

The aerospace sector is witnessing a structural shift toward the Widespread Adoption of Geared Turbofan Propulsion Architectures to achieve stringent fuel efficiency targets. Unlike conventional direct-drive engines, this configuration utilizes a high-power planetary reduction gearbox to decouple the engine fan from the low-pressure compressor, allowing each module to operate at its optimal efficiency speed. This architectural evolution significantly increases the content value per engine for gear manufacturers, as the gearbox becomes a critical life-limited component requiring precision engineering. The market impact of this transition is evident in the surging revenue for geared platforms; according to MTU Aero Engines, October 2024, in the 'Quarterly Statement Q3 2024', organic revenue in the commercial series segment rose by more than 20% year-over-year, driven primarily by strong demand for Geared Turbofan programs.

Simultaneously, the Deployment of Smart Sensors for Real-Time Gearbox Health Monitoring is transforming aftermarket sustainment strategies. Operators are increasingly integrating vibration, thermal, and acoustic sensors directly into transmission housings to transition from fixed-interval overhauls to predictive maintenance, thereby reducing unplanned downtime and extending component lifecycles. This digitalization of mechanical systems is propelling financial growth within the services segment, as airlines prioritize data-driven support contracts over traditional repair models. This trend is substantiated by recent financial performance; according to Safran, October 2024, in the 'Third Quarter 2024 Revenue' report, civil aftermarket revenue increased by 20.5% in dollar terms compared to the previous year, reflecting the intensified carrier demand for spares and rate-per-flight-hour service agreements.

Segmental Insights

The Aftermarket segment is projected to be the fastest-growing category in the Global Aircraft Gears Market, driven by the expanding global fleet of aging aircraft requiring regular maintenance. Airlines and military operators focus on prolonging the lifespan of existing planes to manage capital expenditures, thereby increasing the demand for repair and overhaul services. Additionally, strict safety regulations from authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration mandate periodic inspections and immediate replacement of worn components. This regulatory pressure, combined with the economic benefits of maintaining current assets, fuels the robust expansion of aftermarket support services.

Regional Insights

North America holds a dominant position in the Global Aircraft Gears Market, driven by a mature aerospace manufacturing ecosystem and the presence of major Original Equipment Manufacturers. The region benefits from substantial demand in both the commercial and defense sectors, where ongoing fleet modernization programs necessitate advanced gear components. Furthermore, the Federal Aviation Administration enforces rigorous safety and airworthiness standards, compelling manufacturers to maintain high-quality production processes. This strict regulatory framework, combined with sustained government investment in military aviation development, establishes North America as the central hub for aircraft gear engineering and production.

Recent Developments

• In December 2024, the engineering team behind the Rolls-Royce UltraFan engine was awarded the Team Gold Medal by the Royal Aeronautical Society, recognizing their pioneering work on the engine's Power Gearbox. This component, acknowledged as the most powerful aerospace gearbox in the world, is central to the engine's geared turbofan architecture and enables significant improvements in fuel efficiency. The award celebrated the successful design and testing of the gearbox, which can transmit immense power levels required for future large engines. This achievement highlighted the company's technological breakthrough in geared propulsion systems, supporting the industry's transition toward more sustainable aviation.
• In June 2024, Safran Group confirmed it had received unconditional clearance from the Italian government to proceed with the acquisition of the actuation and flight control business of Collins Aerospace. This regulatory approval marked a pivotal moment in the company's expansion within the mechanical power transmission and actuation market. The deal was structured to integrate complementary hydraulic and mechanical actuation capabilities, which are fundamentally dependent on precision gearing technologies. By finalizing this strategic move, the company aimed to establish itself as a global leader in mission-critical flight control systems for both commercial and military aircraft.
• In May 2024, Avio Aero highlighted the successful performance of its critical transmission systems during the flight demonstration of the Airbus RACER high-speed helicopter in Marignane, France. The company was responsible for the design and production of the aircraft's Main Gearbox and two innovative Lateral Gearboxes, which are essential for driving the wing-mounted propellers. These components utilized advanced materials and additive manufacturing techniques to meet the rigorous weight and power requirements of the compound rotorcraft. This flight validation represented a major breakthrough in the development of high-speed, lightweight gearing solutions for next-generation aviation platforms.
• In February 2024, Triumph Group announced a long-term agreement with MD Helicopters to manufacture and assemble main rotor gearbox transmissions for the MD500 helicopter platform. This contract extension solidified the company's role as a key supplier in the vertical lift market, continuing a partnership that has delivered hundreds of gearboxes over two decades. The agreement was designed to support the helicopter manufacturer’s objective to increase annual production rates. The manufacturing and assembly work was assigned to the company's Geared Solutions business, underscoring its specialized capabilities in producing complex transmission systems and spare parts for the global aerospace sector.

Key Market Players

• CIRCLE & GEAR MACHINE CO., INC.
• AMERICAN GEAR, INC.
• HANLOO CO. LTD.
• RILEY GEAR CORP
• AMERICAN PRECISION GEAR CO., INC.
• WM BERG INC.
• SHANGHAI BELON MACHINERY CO., LTD.
• TRIUMPH GROUP
• BATOM CO., LTD.
• Arrow Gear LLC

By Platform	By Gear Type	By Application	By End User	By Region
Commercial Aviation and Military Aviation	Spur Gears Bevel Gears Helical Gears Rack and Pinion Gears and Others	Auxiliary Power Unit Actuators Pumps Air Conditioning Compressors and Others	Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Aftermarket	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Aircraft Gears Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Aircraft Gears Market, By Platform:

• Commercial Aviation and Military Aviation

• Aircraft Gears Market, By Gear Type:

• Spur Gears
• Bevel Gears
• Helical Gears
• Rack and Pinion Gears
• and Others

• Aircraft Gears Market, By Application:

• Auxiliary Power Unit
• Actuators
• Pumps
• Air Conditioning Compressors
• and Others

• Aircraft Gears Market, By End User:

• Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Aftermarket

• Aircraft Gears Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE