Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Anti-Aircraft Missiles, Anti-tank Rifles, Recoilless Rifles and Rocket Propelled Grenades), By Modes (Light Anti-Tank Weapons, Medium Anti-Tank Weapons and Heavy Anti-Tank Weapons), By Technology (Guided Weapons and Unguided Weapons), By Region, Competition 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The Global Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons Market, valued at USD 23.94 Billion in 2024, is projected to experience a CAGR of 5.21% to reach USD 32.47 Billion by 2030. Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons (MPAAW) encompass shoulder-fired military systems such as missiles, rockets, and recoilless rifles designed for infantry to engage and neutralize armored vehicles, fortified positions, and occasionally low-flying aircraft. The market’s expansion is primarily driven by increasing global defense budgets, escalating geopolitical tensions, and ongoing military modernization initiatives aimed at countering evolving threats. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military expenditure reached $2.443 trillion in 2023, marking a 6.8% increase in real terms compared to 2022.

A significant challenge impeding market growth is the inherently high development and production costs associated with advanced MPAAW systems. These substantial expenditures can restrict the accessibility and widespread adoption of state-of-the-art anti-armor capabilities, particularly for nations with constrained defense procurement budgets.

Key Market Drivers

The Global Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons Market is significantly influenced by two primary drivers: rising global defense budgets and escalating geopolitical tensions and conflicts. Increased defense spending enables nations to invest in advanced weaponry, including man portable anti-armor systems, to enhance their military capabilities. This budgetary expansion allows for the procurement of modern, more effective solutions to counter evolving threats and modernize existing arsenals. According to Caliber. Az, in July 2025, 'Germany spent over €31 billion on military modernisation in 2024, army offical says', detailing that the German Armed Forces allocated over €31 billion towards rearmament efforts in 2024, a significant increase from €17 billion in 2021. Such commitments demonstrate a clear financial pathway for the sustained growth of the anti-armor weapons sector, allowing manufacturers to invest in research, development, and scaling up production capacities.

Escalating geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts directly drive the urgent demand for robust anti-armor capabilities, as nations seek to bolster their defensive and offensive postures against armored threats. The necessity for infantry to effectively neutralize modern tanks and armored vehicles in various combat scenarios, including urban and asymmetric environments, propels procurement cycles and accelerates technology adoption. This demand is further evidenced by specific military contracts aimed at replenishing and expanding stockpiles. According to Army Recognition, in August 2025, 'US Army Secures $1.3 Billion Contract for Javelin Missiles Including 4,000 for Ukraine', reporting that the U. S. Army awarded a $1.3 billion contract for Javelin missiles and related equipment, including over 4,000 Javelins specifically to replenish stockpiles sent to Ukraine. This reflects the immediate need for combat-proven systems. In response to heightened global demand, overall production for critical anti-armor systems is also increasing; according to Lockheed Martin, in July 2025, 'Innovating for Excellence: Javelin's Path to Increased Production Capacity', the company reported that its Javelin missile production capacity is currently 2,400 missiles per year and is set to increase to 3,960 annually by late 2026. These combined factors create a robust and expanding market for man portable anti-armor weapons.

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Key Market Challenges

The elevated development and production costs associated with advanced Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons (MPAAW) systems directly impede the growth of the global market. These substantial expenditures restrict the widespread accessibility and adoption of state-of-the-art anti-armor capabilities, particularly for nations with constrained defense procurement budgets. Such high financial barriers mean that despite increasing global defense budgets and geopolitical tensions, many countries face significant challenges in investing in the latest technologies. According to the European Defence Agency, EU Member States' collective defense investments reached a record €72 billion in 2023, with procurement spending projected to surpass €90 billion in 2024. These significant overall defense investments reflect the considerable financial outlay required for modern military equipment. Consequently, the inherently high per-unit cost of advanced MPAAWs, encompassing extensive research, specialized manufacturing processes, and the integration of complex guidance systems, exacerbates these budgetary pressures. This situation often compels nations to either delay procurement, acquire fewer units, or opt for less advanced, lower-cost alternatives, directly hindering the market expansion for premium MPAAW solutions.

Key Market Trends

Two significant trends currently shaping the Global Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons Market are the adoption of advanced precision guidance and targeting systems and the proliferation of man-portable loitering munitions. These trends reflect ongoing technological advancements aimed at improving operational effectiveness and expanding tactical options for dismounted combatants.

A significant trend driving the Global Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons Market is the advancement of precision guidance and targeting systems. These innovations incorporate sophisticated sensors, refined guidance algorithms, and improved targeting mechanisms to achieve heightened accuracy and reduce collateral damage. This technological evolution supports systems capable of "fire-and-forget" and "fire, observe and update" modes, affording operators increased flexibility. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems secured a €237.5 million agreement in October 2023 for 168 Spike LR2 anti-tank missile systems to the Spanish Army, reflecting continued investment in solutions offering advanced precision. Such advancements are essential for effectively engaging modern armored threats and their sophisticated defensive measures.

The growing proliferation of man-portable loitering munitions is transforming infantry anti-armor capabilities by integrating reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strike functions. These systems equip dismounted troops with organic non-line-of-sight engagement and extended standoff ranges, facilitating target identification and neutralization without direct visual contact. The capacity to loiter, evaluate, and then precisely strike provides a tactical advantage across diverse battlefields. AeroVironment, in October 2024, received a $54.9 million delivery order from the U. S. Army for Switchblade loitering munition systems, which included an additional contract ceiling of $743 million, highlighting the increasing adoption of these versatile weapons. This trend substantially bolsters the operational reach and lethality of infantry units against various armored assets and fortified positions.

Segmental Insights

The Anti-Aircraft Missiles segment is currently the fastest-growing area within the Global Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by the evolving threat landscape, characterized by the increasing proliferation of uncrewed aerial vehicles and low-flying rotary-wing aircraft in modern combat environments. Defense forces globally are prioritizing the enhancement of decentralized air defense capabilities, necessitating highly portable and rapidly deployable systems for infantry units. Furthermore, escalating geopolitical tensions and increased defense modernization initiatives worldwide contribute significantly to the sustained demand for advanced man-portable anti-aircraft solutions. This strategic emphasis on countering aerial threats efficiently fuels the segment's notable growth.

Regional Insights

North America leads the global man-portable anti-armor weapons market due to several key factors. The region benefits from significant defense budgets and sustained investment in military modernization programs, notably in the United States, which prioritizes advanced infantry weaponry to maintain technological superiority. This environment supports the robust presence of major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and RTX Corporation, which are central to developing and manufacturing advanced anti-armor systems. Their extensive research and development capabilities foster continuous innovation in guidance, targeting, and propulsion technologies. Furthermore, the strategic imperative to counter evolving threats drives ongoing procurement of sophisticated, portable anti-armor solutions across North American armed forces.

Recent Developments

• In August 2024, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), an India-based military research and development agency, announced the successful test-firing of its indigenously-built Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MP-ATGM). This breakthrough research introduced a highly portable system, weighing 14.5 kg, with an additional 14.25 kg for the command launch unit. The MP-ATGM features a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead for destroying armored vehicles, boasting an operational range of 200 meters to 4 kilometers. The missile is equipped with an advanced IIR sensor and avionics for precise top-attack targeting, marking a significant advancement in man-portable anti-armor capabilities.

• In March 2024, Saab, a Swedish defense company, received approval to establish a manufacturing facility for its Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system in India. This initiative represents Saab's first manufacturing venture for the M4 system outside of Sweden. The facility, expected to commence operations in 2024, will focus on producing weapons for the Indian Armed Forces and exporting components globally. This development is a key strategic move for Saab within the Global Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons Market, highlighting increased regional production and technological deployment for this widely used recoilless multi-role rocket system.

• In February 2024, a software issue affecting the Light Weight Command Launch Unit (LW CLU) for the Javelin anti-tank missile system was resolved. This development, led by the Javelin Joint Venture of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, is crucial for the Global Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons Market as it keeps the LW CLU on track for fielding in mid-fiscal year 2025. Despite this progress, the introduction of the new G-model missile remains paused following a test failure in 2022. The successful software update demonstrated enhanced capabilities for extended range, ensuring optimal performance for this man-portable weapon system.

• In January 2024, MBDA, a France-based manufacturer of anti-aircraft missiles, formed a partnership with Saab AB, a Swedish aerospace and defense company. This collaboration aims to strengthen the development of essential anti-tank and air defense capabilities relevant to high-intensity conflicts. Their joint efforts concentrate on the Akeron MP missile system, with plans to integrate advanced features such as beyond-line-of-sight firing. This strategic alliance underscores the ongoing efforts within the Global Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons Market to innovate and meet future battlefield requirements through company collaborations.

Key Market Players

• AirTronic USA Inc.
• Bharat Dynamics Limited
• China Ordnance Industries Group Corporation Limited
• LIG Nex1 Co. Ltd
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• MBDA
• MKE Kurumu
• Nammo AS
• RTX Corporation
• Roketsan Roket Sanayii ve Ticaret AS

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons Market, By Type:

o   Anti-Aircraft Missiles

o   Anti-tank Rifles

o   Recoilless Rifles

o   Rocket Propelled Grenades

• Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons Market, By Modes:

o   Light Anti-Tank Weapons

o   Medium Anti-Tank Weapons

o   Heavy Anti-Tank Weapons

• Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons Market, By Technology:

o   Guided Weapons

o   Unguided Weapons

• Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Man Portable Anti-Armor Weapons Market.

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Company Information

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