CBRN Defense Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive), By Equipment (Protective Wearables, Respiratory Systems, Detection & Monitoring Systems, Decontamination Systems, Simulators, Information Management Software), By Purpose (Detection, Protection, Decontamination, Simulation and Training), By End Use (Armed Forces, Homeland Security, Civil & Commercial), and By Region 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 23.13 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.61%
Fastest Growing Segment	Explosive
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 32.09 Billion

Market Overview

The Global CBRN Defense Market will grow from USD 23.13 Billion in 2025 to USD 32.09 Billion by 2031 at a 5.61% CAGR. The Global CBRN Defense Market encompasses specialized protective equipment, detection systems, and decontamination solutions designed to safeguard personnel and critical infrastructure from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear hazards. The market is primarily driven by escalating geopolitical tensions, the proliferation of asymmetric threats, and the rigorous modernization of national defense capabilities. According to the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), in 2024, defense sector turnover increased by 13.8 percent to €183.4 billion, reflecting a surge in military investment aimed at bolstering security readiness.

However, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the substantial capital required for the research, development, and maintenance of these complex systems. The high cost of advanced technologies creates a barrier to entry and adoption, particularly for developing nations with constrained defense budgets. This financial burden can delay the procurement of essential countermeasures, leaving gaps in preparedness despite the recognized necessity of comprehensive CBRN defense strategies.

Key Market Drivers

The escalation of global geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts constitutes a primary driver propelling the Global CBRN Defense Market. As state-level adversaries and non-state actors diversify their capabilities, nations are compelled to rigorously modernize their defense infrastructure and strategic stockpiles to deter potential aggression. This volatile security environment has necessitated an immediate increase in government allocations toward protective equipment, advanced detection sensors, and decontamination systems to ensure readiness against chemical or nuclear incidents. According to NATO, June 2024, in the 'Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014-2024)' communique, defense spending by European Allies and Canada increased by 17.9 percent in real terms, highlighting the aggressive fiscal shift toward fortification. According to Rheinmetall AG, in 2024, the company recorded a 33 percent year-on-year sales increase in the first half of the year, reflecting the broad industrial scale-up required to meet these expanding international security requirements.

Simultaneously, the market is significantly influenced by a heightened focus on biological defense and pandemic preparedness. The convergence of natural pathogen outbreaks and the theoretical risk of engineered biological agents has accelerated the demand for advanced medical countermeasures and rapid identification technologies. Defense agencies and public health organizations are prioritizing the development of scalable therapeutic solutions and next-generation bio-surveillance networks to mitigate the impact of biological warfare or accidental releases. According to Moderna, July 2024, in the 'Project NextGen Award' press release, the U.S. government awarded the company $176 million to accelerate the development of mRNA-based vaccines against pandemic influenza, underscoring the critical investment being directed toward biosecurity and resilience against contagious threats.

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Key Market Challenges

The substantial capital required for the research, development, and maintenance of CBRN defense systems presents a significant obstacle to market growth. Developing these complex solutions involves integrating advanced detection and decontamination technologies, which necessitates continuous and heavy financial investment. This high cost of innovation forces manufacturers to price their systems at a premium, thereby creating a high barrier to entry and limiting adoption rates among cost-sensitive buyers.

Consequently, this financial burden slows market expansion by extending procurement timelines and restricting access for nations with limited defense budgets. Instead of acquiring comprehensive countermeasures, many countries are forced to rely on legacy systems or delay modernization efforts, impeding the global uptake of necessary defenses. According to the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), in 2024, research and development spending within the European aerospace and defense industry grew by 9.4 percent to €25.2 billion. This magnitude of required investment highlights the economic challenges that manufacturers face, which ultimately translates into higher acquisition costs and hampered market growth.

Key Market Trends

The integration of Artificial Intelligence for predictive threat modeling is reshaping the Global CBRN Defense Market by enabling proactive rather than reactive strategies. Defense agencies now deploy advanced algorithms to analyze complex datasets, allowing for the early identification of biological or chemical anomalies before they escalate. This technological shift facilitates rapid decision-making and optimizes countermeasure distribution, ensuring that threats are neutralized with minimal delay. According to Booz Allen Hamilton, August 2025, in the 'Booz Allen Secures $1.58 Billion Contract for Intelligence Analysis to Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction' press release, the company received a task order with a $1.58 billion ceiling to provide AI and data science expertise to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, highlighting the massive investment in next-generation threat prediction capabilities.

Simultaneously, the deployment of autonomous unmanned systems for remote reconnaissance is revolutionizing how military forces detect and assess hazardous environments. By utilizing aerial drones and ground robots equipped with high-sensitivity sensors, commanders can conduct real-time surveillance of contaminated zones without exposing personnel to lethal agents. These unmanned platforms are becoming integral to modern defense architectures, providing persistent monitoring and automated hazard reporting from safe standoff distances. According to Teledyne FLIR, April 2025, in the 'Teledyne FLIR Defense Awarded $74.2M Contract for U.S. Army’s Next-Gen Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle Sensor Suite Upgrade' press release, the company received a $74.2 million contract to deliver autonomous sensor suites for the Stryker vehicle, underscoring the operational transition toward unmanned CBRN reconnaissance solutions.

Segmental Insights

The explosive segment currently represents the fastest-growing category within the Global CBRN Defense Market due to the escalating prevalence of asymmetric warfare and internal security threats. Governments are prioritizing the procurement of detection and disposal systems to counter the rising use of Improvised Explosive Devices by non-state actors. This urgency is supported by security directives from agencies like the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which emphasize the protection of critical infrastructure against explosive hazards. Consequently, increased funding for explosive ordnance disposal capabilities is fueling significant expansion within this specific market sector.

Regional Insights

North America commands a leading position in the Global CBRN Defense Market, primarily driven by significant government expenditure on defense infrastructure and counter-terrorism strategies. The United States actively directs resources toward modernizing equipment to mitigate evolving chemical and biological risks. Agencies such as the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense play a central role in managing the acquisition and fielding of essential protective technologies. Additionally, the region benefits from a robust industrial base where established defense contractors collaborate with federal authorities to enhance national security capabilities.

Recent Developments

• In July 2025, 908 Devices announced the launch of VipIR, a handheld three-in-one analyzer engineered for the rapid field identification of unknown bulk chemicals. The device features a proprietary algorithm that synthesizes data from both Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy to analyze complex mixtures without the need for multiple samples. Designed for hazardous response teams and customs personnel, the tool facilitates the immediate detection of explosives, toxic industrial chemicals, and narcotics. This product launch represents a technological advancement in portable detection capabilities, addressing the demand for versatile and accurate analytical tools in the Global CBRN Defense Market.
• In November 2024, Teledyne FLIR Defense was awarded a five-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract valued at $168.3 million by the U.S. Army. The agreement focuses on the low-rate initial production phase to upgrade the Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle Sensor Suite on the M1135 Stryker platform. As the lead integrator, the company is tasked with modernizing the system by incorporating autonomous chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear sensors to improve threat detection speeds. This development highlights the market's shift towards automated and unmanned reconnaissance solutions for protecting military personnel.
• In November 2024, Avon Protection received three contracts under the U.S. Department of Defense’s ASPIRE HMI program to enhance individual protective equipment integration. The project aims to design and develop a solution that optimizes the interface between the widely fielded M50 and M53A1 protective masks and various CBRN garment hoods. By addressing critical connectivity points between different protective systems, the initiative seeks to reduce encumbrance and ensure seamless sealing against hazardous agents. This development reflects the Global CBRN Defense Market's focus on improving the ergonomics and reliability of soldier systems through strategic modernization programs.
• In May 2024, Bertin Environics secured a significant seven-year framework agreement with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency to supply comprehensive CBRN Squad Kits. These specialized kits are designed to enhance the operational capabilities of defense forces by integrating advanced detection technologies, including ChemProX handheld chemical detectors and SaphyRad MS multiprobe radiation survey meters. The contract enables the precise identification of chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals in diverse environments. This collaboration underscores the increasing necessity for interoperable and mobile detection systems within the Global CBRN Defense Market to counter evolving asymmetric threats.

Key Market Players

• Thales Group
• Rheinmetall Defence
• Smiths Group PLC
• Teledyne FLIR LLC
• Bruker Corporation
• Avon Protection
• Argon Electronics (UK) Ltd
• Battelle Memorial Institute
• Saab AB
• MSA Safety, Inc.

By Type	By Equipment	By Purpose	By End Use	By Region
Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosive	Protective Wearables Respiratory Systems Detection & Monitoring Systems Decontamination Systems Simulators Information Management Software	Detection Protection Decontamination Simulation and Training	Armed Forces Homeland Security Civil & Commercial	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• CBRN Defense Market, By Type:

• Chemical
• Biological
• Radiological
• Nuclear
• Explosive

• CBRN Defense Market, By Equipment:

• Protective Wearables
• Respiratory Systems
• Detection & Monitoring Systems
• Decontamination Systems
• Simulators
• Information Management Software

• CBRN Defense Market, By Purpose:

• Detection
• Protection
• Decontamination
• Simulation and Training

• CBRN Defense Market, By End Use:

• Armed Forces
• Homeland Security
• Civil & Commercial

• CBRN Defense 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