Military Gas Mask Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Mask Type (Full-face Gas Masks, Half-face Gas Masks), By Product Type (Non-Powered Respirators, Powered Respirators), End-User (Military, First Responders), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 1.51 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.82%
Fastest Growing Segment	Powered Respirators
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 2.12 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Military Gas Mask Market will grow from USD 1.51 Billion in 2025 to USD 2.12 Billion by 2031 at a 5.82% CAGR. Military gas masks are personal respiratory protection devices engineered to filter chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear particulates from inhaled air, ensuring soldier survivability in contaminated environments. The primary drivers supporting market growth include the systematic modernization of national defense inventories and escalating cross-border geopolitical tensions, which compel governments to enhance troop preparedness against non-conventional warfare threats. These factors necessitate consistent procurement cycles to replace aging stockpiles and equip forces with reliable individual protective equipment.

However, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the logistical complexity and high cost associated with maintaining supply chains for specialized filtration materials and managing the strict shelf-life of consumable canisters. This procurement environment is heavily influenced by broader defense budget trends that fund these acquisitions. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, in 2024, global military expenditure increased by 9.4 percent to reach $2.718 trillion, reflecting a heightened prioritization of defense readiness that supports the continued demand for essential CBRN protection systems.

Key Market Drivers

The increasing threat of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) warfare serves as a critical catalyst for the Global Military Gas Mask Market, driving nations to overhaul their defensive postures. As geopolitical conflicts increasingly involve the risk of non-conventional attacks, defense agencies are compelled to accelerate the procurement of advanced respiratory protection to ensure personnel survivability in contaminated zones. This urgency is evident in recent procurement activities; according to Avon Technologies plc, in May 2024, the company won a contract worth up to £38 million from the UK Ministry of Defence to supply General Service Respirators, a decision reinforced by the operational necessity to counter chemical agents in modern combat theaters. Such acquisitions reflect a broader strategic pivot toward hardening forces against asymmetric threats through high-performance filtration systems.

Simultaneously, the expansion of global defense budgets provides the essential financial infrastructure supporting these large-scale modernization programs. Governments are allocating record levels of funding to equipment upgrades, prioritizing the replacement of legacy safety gear with integrated solutions that offer enhanced field of view and lower respiratory burden. According to NATO, in February 2024, European Allies were projected to invest a combined total of $380 billion in defense, marking the first time this collective figure reached 2% of their combined GDP. This fiscal growth directly creates opportunities for specialized manufacturers; for instance, according to MSA Safety, in November 2024, the firm secured a contract valued at $33 million to provide next-generation respiratory protective equipment to the US Coast Guard.

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Key Market Challenges

Based on the provided overview, the primary obstacle impeding the growth of the Global Military Gas Mask Market is the logistical complexity and high operational cost associated with maintaining supply chains for specialized filtration materials and managing the strict shelf-life of consumable canisters. Gas masks rely on specific chemical components that are expensive to manufacture and transport, while the finite lifespan of filtration units necessitates frequent, capital-intensive replacement cycles. This continuous financial burden forces defense departments to direct significant resources toward sustaining existing inventories rather than acquiring new systems, thereby limiting overall market expansion.

These procurement inefficiencies often result in modernization delays, as manufacturers struggle to align production with fluctuating government funding. This strain on the industrial base is evident in recent industry findings. According to the National Defense Industrial Association, in 2025, 54 percent of private sector respondents identified supply chain challenges as a critical issue facing the defense industrial base. This metric underscores how widespread logistical hurdles and material shortages directly hamper the ability of manufacturers to deliver essential CBRN protection equipment on schedule, ultimately restricting the market's capacity to meet rising global demand.

Key Market Trends

The Shift Toward Modular and Interoperable Respiratory System Architectures is reshaping the market as defense agencies prioritize equipment that integrates seamlessly with broader soldier systems. Modern procurement strategies now favor "headborne systems" where the gas mask functions as a component within a modular suite involving ballistic helmets, communications, and night vision optics, rather than as a standalone device. This interoperability ensures that respiratory protection does not compromise the usage of other critical tactical gear, thereby maintaining operational lethality. Emphasizing this move toward integrated solutions, according to Gentex Corporation, November 2025, the company secured a contract option worth $38.4 million to supply the U.S. Army with advanced helmet systems designed for such scalable, open-architecture integration.

Concurrently, there is a distinct Focus on Reduced Physiological Burden and Breathability Enhancement, driving the adoption of lightweight materials and low-profile designs. Manufacturers are increasingly utilizing advanced composites and compact powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) to minimize the physical strain on soldiers operating in high-stress CBRN environments. This trend addresses the need for protective gear that offers extended operational duration without inducing fatigue or heat stress. Highlighting the demand for these next-generation survivability solutions, according to AirBoss Defense Group, November 2025, the firm received a new order valued at up to $8.1 million from the Canadian Department of National Defense to deliver specialized personal protective equipment consistent with these modernization requirements.

Segmental Insights

The Powered Respirators segment is currently recognized as the fastest-growing category within the global military gas mask market. This accelerated expansion is primarily driven by the capability of these systems to minimize physiological strain during prolonged missions. Unlike standard negative-pressure options, Powered Respirators utilize battery-operated blowers to provide positive pressure, thereby reducing breathing resistance and ensuring continuous airflow. Additionally, compliance with rigorous standards established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reinforces their reliability. Consequently, defense agencies are increasingly prioritizing these units to enhance operational endurance and ensure robust protection against hazardous threats.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global military gas mask market, primarily driven by the substantial defense budget and continuous modernization programs within the United States. The region places a strong emphasis on preparedness against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, resulting in the consistent procurement of respiratory protection systems. Additionally, strict performance standards established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health influence product development and acquisition requirements. The presence of established domestic manufacturers allows for reliable supply chain management, further securing the region's dominance in providing protective equipment to its armed forces.

Recent Developments

• In June 2025, Avon Technologies received an order worth approximately £10.2 million from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence to supply FM50 respirators to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The FM50 mask, which provides full-face protection against a broad spectrum of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, is widely deployed by NATO forces. The Chief Executive Officer of Avon Technologies stated that the order demonstrates the company's critical role in supporting the resilience of the defense-industrial base and underscores the United Kingdom's continued military assistance to Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts involving hazardous agents.
• In April 2025, AirBoss Defense Group, the defense division of AirBoss of America Corp., received contract awards valued at up to US$15.6 million to supply personal protective equipment to international military customers. These awards included an order from a partner nation for Low Burden Masks, filters, and related accessories, as well as a contract from armasuisse to provide Molded AirBoss Lightweight Overboots for the Swiss Defense Forces. Deliveries for the respiratory protection systems were scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2025, continuing the company's expansion in the global market for survivability solutions.
• In November 2024, MIRA Safety announced the launch of its C21 Full-Face Respirator, a next-generation gas mask engineered to meet strict military standards for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear protection. This new product features a wide panoramic visor for enhanced field of view and is designed to be compatible with modern tactical helmets and rifle optics. The mask incorporates an auto-shutoff valve system to allow for safe filter changes in contaminated environments and a low-carbon dioxide inner mask design to reduce wearer fatigue. The launch targets both defense professionals and prepared individuals seeking advanced respiratory defense solutions.
• In May 2024, Avon Protection secured a contract valued at £38 million from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence to supply General Service Respirator gas masks for the British Army. This four-year agreement, which includes five additional 12-month option periods, ensures the continued provision of respiratory protection equipment to support domestic chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense capabilities. The Chief Executive Officer of Avon Protection highlighted that the award reinforces the company's strategic partnership with the government and its commitment to equipping service personnel with high-quality protection against evolving threats in hybrid warfare environments.

Key Market Players

• 3M Company
• MIRA Safety, LLC
• Avon Polymer Products Limited
• Venture Digital, LLC
• Shalon Chemical Industries Ltd
• Duram Mask
• MSA Worldwide, LLC
• Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
• All Safe Industries, Inc.
• eAccess Solutions, Inc

By Mask Type	By Product Type	By Region
Full-face Gas Masks Half-face Gas Masks	Non-Powered Respirators Powered Respirators	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Military Gas Mask Market , By Mask Type:

• Full-face Gas Masks
• Half-face Gas Masks

• Military Gas Mask Market , By Product Type:

• Non-Powered Respirators
• Powered Respirators

• Military Gas Mask 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