Consolidated Region 30mm Ammunition Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Caliber (20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 40mm, Other), By Ammunition Type (High Explosive Incendiary (HEI), High Explosive Incendiary - Tracer (HEI-T), High Explosive Incendiary/Tracer - Self Destruct (HEI/T-S.D.), Semi-Armor Piercing High Explosive Incendiary-Tracer/Self Destruct, Others), By Platform (Airborne, Naval, Land), By Region 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 3.73 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.59%
Fastest Growing Segment	30mm
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 5.17 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Consolidated Region 30mm Ammunition Market will grow from USD 3.73 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.17 Billion by 2031 at a 5.59% CAGR. The Global Consolidated Region 30mm Ammunition Market comprises medium-caliber cartridges utilized in autocannons and rotary cannons to engage light armor, aerial drones, and fortified targets across land, air, and naval domains. The primary drivers supporting market growth include the urgent necessity to replenish depleted national inventories amidst escalating geopolitical instability and the comprehensive modernization of armored vehicle fleets requiring enhanced lethality. These structural demands provide a robust foundation for expansion that is distinct from temporary technological adoption or shifting procurement trends.

According to the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe, in 2024, the defence sector turnover increased by 13.8 percent driven by intensified military preparedness and support for active conflict zones. Despite this positive trajectory, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the critical shortage of essential raw materials such as nitrocellulose which severely constrains production capacity and causes delays in the delivery of vital munitions to armed forces.

Key Market Drivers

Increasing Global Defense Budgets and Expenditure act as the primary catalyst for the 30mm ammunition market, as nations prioritize the replenishment of depleted stockpiles and the sustainment of high-intensity combat readiness. This financial injection is not merely for platform acquisition but is heavily weighted towards consumable munitions required for sustained operations in contested environments. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), April 2024, world military expenditure rose by 6.8 percent in real terms to reach $2,443 billion in 2023, reflecting a direct response to deteriorating global security. This elevated spending power translates into substantial volume contracts for medium-caliber rounds used in infantry fighting vehicles and air defense systems. Highlighting the scale of this specific demand, according to Rheinmetall, January 2024, the company secured a major order worth over €350 million to supply the German Bundeswehr with hundreds of thousands of rounds of 30mm x 173 service ammunition for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle.

The market is simultaneously being reshaped by the Surge in Demand for Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) Capabilities, which necessitates the adoption of advanced programmable and air-burst munitions. As small, agile drones become a pervasive threat on the modern battlefield, armed forces are shifting away from conventional point-detonating rounds toward proximity-fuzed solutions capable of neutralizing aerial targets effectively. This technological evolution drives the procurement of specialized 30mm variants designed for platforms like the Mobile Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) system. Evidence of this strategic shift is visible in recent procurement activities; according to USAspending.gov, in May 2024, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation was awarded a contract with a potential value of $264.2 million to produce Lightweight 30mm XM1211 High Explosive Proximity cartridges. These advanced munitions enable ground units to engage aerial threats with higher precision, thereby validating the segment's transition from volume-based legacy production to value-driven, high-technology manufacturing.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

The scarcity of essential raw materials, specifically nitrocellulose, acts as a severe structural impediment to the Global Consolidated Region 30mm Ammunition Market. Nitrocellulose is the indispensable base for the propellant used in these cartridges, determining the munition’s velocity and effectiveness. When manufacturers cannot secure adequate volumes of this compound, production lines for 30mm rounds are forced to halt regardless of the existing order backlog. This shortage does not simply delay delivery schedules; it imposes a strict limit on manufacturing capacity, preventing the market from capitalizing on the intensified demand for modern lethality solutions.

This disruption is exacerbated by the fragility of the upstream supply network, where producers heavily depend on a concentrated number of providers for chemical precursors. According to the National Defense Industrial Association, in 2024, 49 percent of private sector respondents identified single or sole source suppliers as their top supply chain vulnerability. This statistic highlights the critical risk facing ammunition producers, as the inability to source nitrocellulose from diverse alternatives creates a bottleneck that directly restricts the total addressable output of the sector. Consequently, the market’s expansion is physically constrained by material availability, hampering growth despite a favorable fiscal environment.

Key Market Trends

Localization of Manufacturing and Indigenous Production Capabilities is fundamentally altering supply chain strategies as nations seek to mitigate reliance on cross-border logistics. Governments are increasingly mandating onshoring initiatives to ensure sovereign security of supply, establishing local production hubs that can sustain inventory levels independent of global shipping bottlenecks. This structural shift involves transferring technical data packages to domestic industrial bases, allowing for rapid replenishment during prolonged conflicts. Underscoring this move toward decentralized manufacturing, according to Defence Express, July 2024, Northrop Grumman finalized a landmark agreement to establish the production of NATO-standard medium-caliber ammunition, including 30mm rounds, directly within Ukraine to support immediate operational requirements.

Increased Integration with Remotely Operated Weapon Stations is elevating the strategic value of 30mm munitions as the optimal balance between lethality and weight. Modern armored fleets are transitioning from manned turrets to unmanned systems, necessitating high-precision medium-caliber rounds that maximize effective range while ensuring crew protection under armor. This technological evolution drives demand for specialized ammunition compatible with advanced fire control systems found on next-generation platforms. Evidencing this trajectory, according to Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, November 2024, the company received a $51 million contract to supply 30mm remote turrets for the U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle, validating the segment shift toward unmanned firepower.

Segmental Insights

The 30mm segment has emerged as the fastest-growing category in the global consolidated ammunition market, driven by the extensive modernization of infantry fighting vehicles and air defense systems. Defense forces are transitioning toward this caliber to achieve superior lethality and range compared to smaller alternatives without compromising ammunition capacity. This rising demand is further supported by the proliferation of programmable air-burst munitions, which are essential for countering unmanned aerial systems. Additionally, alignment with NATO standardization agreements facilitates cross-border procurement and interoperability, securing the position of 30mm ammunition as a primary investment focus.

Regional Insights

North America dominates the Global Consolidated Region 30mm Ammunition Market, driven primarily by substantial defense appropriations and large-scale procurement contracts from the United States Department of Defense. The region benefits significantly from the concentrated presence of established defense contractors, including General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman, which secures a reliable domestic supply chain. Furthermore, continuous military modernization initiatives focused on upgrading air and ground combat platforms, such as the Apache helicopter and Stryker vehicle, sustain high demand. This strategic emphasis on enhancing medium-caliber firepower capabilities ensures the region maintains a leading position in the global sector.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, KNDS Belgium signed a strategic cooperation agreement with a Ukrainian defense industry entity to initiate the joint production of medium-caliber ammunition. This development was significant for the 30mm ammunition sector as it specifically targeted the manufacturing of 30mm rounds compatible with Soviet-origin weapon systems. The partnership was established to facilitate the assembly of automatic cannon ammunition capable of engaging light armored vehicles and aerial threats. The Director General of the Ukrainian entity noted that this initiative was part of a broader effort to integrate their industrial base with international standards.
• In January 2025, Nammo entered into a strategic partnership with JUNGHANS Defence to advance the capabilities of the Global Consolidated Region 30mm Ammunition Market. The collaboration focused on the development of next-generation 30mm medium-caliber ammunition equipped with integrated proximity fuzes. This agreement aimed to combine Nammo's expertise in ammunition manufacturing with JUNGHANS Defence's specialized fuze technology to create high-performance solutions for air defense and counter-drone missions. The companies stated that this joint effort would address the increasing demand for precise and reliable munitions in complex operational environments.
• In October 2024, Northrop Grumman Corporation unveiled a new product innovation within the medium-caliber weapons space, directly impacting the 30mm ammunition market. The company introduced the M230 Link Fed (M230LF) Dual Feed Bushmaster Chain Gun, which featured two distinct ammunition feed paths for the 30x113mm caliber. This technological advancement allowed operators to instantly switch between different ammunition types, such as proximity-fuzed rounds for aerial threats and high-explosive dual-purpose rounds for ground targets, without the need for mixed belts. The Vice President of Armament Systems at Northrop Grumman highlighted that this flexibility would enhance operational efficiency.
• In January 2024, Rheinmetall secured a significant contract from the German Bundeswehr to supply a large volume of medium-caliber ammunition, reinforcing its position in the 30mm market. The order, valued at over €350 million, encompassed the delivery of several hundred thousand rounds of 30mm x 173 DM21 service ammunition for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. This procurement was a call-off from an existing framework agreement and was intended to ensure a sustained operational supply for the armed forces. Deliveries were scheduled to commence following the demonstration of perfect functionality, continuing through 2027.

Key Market Players

• BAE Systems Plc
• Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos
• Denel SOC Ltd.
• Elbit Systems Ltd.
• General Dynamics Corporation
• KNDS N.V.
• MSM Group s.r.o.
• Nammo A.S.
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Poongsan Corporation

By Caliber	By Ammunition Type	By Platform	By Region
20mm 25mm 30mm 40mm Other	High Explosive Incendiary (HEI) High Explosive Incendiary - Tracer (HEI-T) High Explosive Incendiary/Tracer - Self Destruct (HEI/T-S.D.) Semi-Armor Piercing High Explosive Incendiary-Tracer/Self Destruct Others	Airborne Naval Land	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Consolidated Region 30mm Ammunition Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Consolidated Region 30mm Ammunition Market, By Caliber:

• 20mm
• 25mm
• 30mm
• 40mm
• Other

• Consolidated Region 30mm Ammunition Market, By Ammunition Type:

• High Explosive Incendiary (HEI)
• High Explosive Incendiary - Tracer (HEI-T)
• High Explosive Incendiary/Tracer - Self Destruct (HEI/T-S.D.)
• Semi-Armor Piercing High Explosive Incendiary-Tracer/Self Destruct
• Others

• Consolidated Region 30mm Ammunition Market, By Platform:

• Airborne
• Naval
• Land

• Consolidated Region 30mm Ammunition 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