Military Lighting Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Application Type (Ground, Airborne, Marine), By Technology Type (LED, Non-LED), By Solution Type (Hardware, Software), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 0.68 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.82%
Fastest Growing Segment	Airborne
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 1.01 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Military Lighting Market will grow from USD 0.68 Billion in 2025 to USD 1.01 Billion by 2031 at a 6.82% CAGR. The Global Military Lighting Market encompasses specialized internal and external illumination systems designed for defense vehicles, aircraft, and naval vessels, requiring strict adherence to standards such as night vision imaging system compatibility and extreme environmental durability. The primary drivers supporting market growth include the extensive modernization of legacy military fleets and the heightened procurement of advanced combat platforms to ensure operational readiness. This demand is further bolstered by the widespread transition toward light-emitting diode technology, which offers superior energy efficiency and operational longevity compared to traditional incandescent lighting solutions.

Despite these positive growth factors, the market faces a significant challenge regarding the high development and qualification costs required to meet stringent military specifications, which can delay procurement cycles and strain defense budgets. However, global investment in defense capabilities continues to provide a strong foundation for the sector. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, in 2025, world military expenditure reached $2.7 trillion for the 2024 fiscal year, reflecting a 9.4 percent increase in real terms that underscores the continued financial prioritization of defense systems globally.

Key Market Drivers

Rising Global Defense Expenditures and Strategic Military Investments are fundamentally reshaping the sector as nations allocate record budgets to strengthen fleet readiness and acquire next-generation platforms. This financial surge provides the necessary capital for procuring advanced external and internal illumination systems essential for modern warfare. For instance, according to GovCon Wire, June 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense unveiled a fiscal year 2026 budget request totaling $961.6 billion, prioritizing the revitalization of the defense industrial base and the development of cutting-edge capabilities. Such substantial funding commitments directly fuel the development of high-performance lighting technologies, ensuring that military assets remain operationally effective in diverse combat environments while supporting the continuous integration of sophisticated navigation and searchlights.

The Accelerated Modernization of Legacy Military Platforms and Fleets further amplifies demand as armed forces upgrade aging equipment with NVIS-compatible and energy-efficient LED solutions. These retrofits are critical for enhancing operational longevity and ensuring crew safety during low-light maneuvers. A prime example of this trend is highlighted by Army Recognition, November 2025, which reported that the U.S. Army awarded BAE Systems a contract modification worth approximately $390 million to upgrade Bradley Fighting Vehicles to the M2A4 standard, a program necessitating updated internal electronics and illumination components. This focus on upgrading existing assets translates into tangible revenue growth for component suppliers; according to Astronics Corporation, August 2025, its military aircraft sales increased by 10.7 percent in the second quarter, driven specifically by heightened demand for lighting and safety products.

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Key Market Challenges

The Global Military Lighting Market is severely constrained by the prohibitive development and qualification costs necessary to satisfy rigorous defense standards. These stringent requirements, which include compliance with electromagnetic interference limits and extreme environmental durability, necessitate extensive testing phases that extend far beyond typical commercial timelines. This rigorous qualification process absorbs a substantial portion of the budget, diverting funds that could otherwise support the volume production of advanced lighting systems. Consequently, the high barrier to entry discourages smaller, innovative manufacturers from participating, thereby reducing competition and slowing the overall pace of technological adoption within the sector.

The impact of these financial hurdles is evident in the potential contraction of the qualified supplier base. According to IPC, in 2025, 24 percent of electronics manufacturers indicated that the costs and burdens of compliance with defense certification standards could force them to exit the military supply chain. This trend threatens to disrupt the availability of critical components used in specialized LED and night-vision compatible lighting, leading to extended lead times and increased procurement costs. As a result, the modernization of legacy fleet lighting systems is frequently delayed, directly hampering the market's ability to capitalize on the demand for next-generation equipment.

Key Market Trends

The integration of intelligent and IoT-connected lighting systems is emerging as a transformative trend, shifting military illumination from static functionality to dynamic, network-centric operations. Defense forces are increasingly deploying smart lighting solutions capable of remote configuration, automated dimming, and real-time health monitoring, which significantly reduces maintenance burdens and enhances crew situational awareness on naval and ground platforms. This shift towards digital manageability is exemplified by recent procurement activities; according to A1 Lighting Magazine, September 2025, in the article 'Glamox's MARL International teams with Apex Industries', Glamox secured a major contract to supply an initial 9,000 LED marine lights and advanced light management systems for the Royal Canadian Navy's new River Class destroyers.

Simultaneously, the prioritization of SWaP-optimized and lightweight designs has become a critical technical requirement, particularly for next-generation aerial and tactical assets where payload capacity and range are paramount. Manufacturers are engineering compact, high-density lighting units that minimize aerodynamic drag and electrical load without compromising NVIS compatibility or ruggedness, directly supporting the operational requirements of future vertical lift programs. The financial impact of this design philosophy is evident; according to Astronics Corporation, March 2025, in its '2024 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results' report, sales in the military aircraft segment rose by 41.6 percent to $24.5 million, a surge explicitly driven by the demand for specialized lighting and safety products for advanced platforms like the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft.

Segmental Insights

Based on recent industry analysis, the Airborne segment is recognized as the fastest-growing category within the Global Military Lighting Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by the extensive modernization of military aircraft fleets and the increasing procurement of fighter jets, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Defense forces are actively replacing legacy incandescent systems with energy-efficient Light Emitting Diode technologies to enhance operational readiness and minimize maintenance requirements. Additionally, the rising necessity for Night Vision Imaging System compatible lighting to support covert nighttime missions and improve pilot situational awareness is significantly fueling this segmental growth.

Regional Insights

North America holds the leading position in the Global Military Lighting Market, driven primarily by significant defense expenditure and extensive modernization initiatives undertaken by the United States Department of Defense. The region features a high concentration of key manufacturers developing LED technologies for aircraft, combat vehicles, and naval vessels. Additionally, the continuous replacement of outdated lighting systems with energy-efficient alternatives supports market expansion. High procurement activities and strict adherence to specific military performance standards further secure North America's dominance in this sector.

Recent Developments

• In February 2025, Orion Energy Systems announced the commencement of a USD 3 million on-site LED lighting installation project for a federal government agency. The project involves upgrading the facility's electrical infrastructure and installing Buy American Act-compliant LED retrofit systems. This initiative is part of a broader collaboration with the agency, following a previous USD 9.6 million retrofit project in Europe. The installation aims to enhance energy efficiency and modernization efforts at the facility in the Southeastern United States, with completion expected in the first half of the company's fiscal year 2026.
• In November 2024, Streamlight Inc. launched the Sidewinder X, a high-output military flashlight designed to support a range of task illumination requirements. The device features a 185-degree articulating head and offers multiple LED color options, including white, red, blue, green, and infrared, to accommodate various tactical needs such as night vision compatibility and casualty checks. Powered by either alkaline or lithium batteries, the flashlight delivers up to 275 lumens of brightness. The product is engineered for durability with a high-impact nylon body and polycarbonate lens, suitable for helmet or MOLLE mounting in combat environments.
• In October 2024, Luminator Aerospace showcased its advanced PAR 46 LED searchlight at the Dubai Helishow, highlighting its commitment to the Middle East aviation and defense sectors. The searchlight is designed to replace traditional incandescent lamps in helicopters, offering a significant upgrade in performance with an output approaching one million candlepower. The unit features a controllable design for pilots and is engineered for high intensity and reliability in critical operations such as search and rescue. This development reflects the company's focus on providing efficient, high-performance exterior lighting solutions for military and rotary-wing aircraft operators.
• In August 2024, Glamox entered into an agreement to acquire MARL International, a United Kingdom-based manufacturer specializing in LED lighting for the defense and navy sectors. This strategic move was intended to strengthen the company's position in the growing maritime defense market by integrating MARL's expertise in designing high-performance lighting for technical environments. The acquisition provided Glamox with a broader range of solutions tailored for naval vessels and expanded its capabilities in the United Kingdom, where the acquired entity generates a significant portion of its revenue from navy projects.

Key Market Players

• Oxley Group
• Astronics Corporation
• Orion Energy Systems, Inc
• Carmanah Technologies Corp.
• Dialight plc
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Acuity Brands, Inc.
• OSRAM GmbH
• Sealite Pty Ltd
• Midstream Ltd.

By Application Type	By Technology Type	By Solution Type	By Region
Ground Airborne Marine	LED Non-LED	Hardware Software	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Military Lighting Market, By Application Type:

• Ground
• Airborne
• Marine

• Military Lighting Market, By Technology Type:

• LED
• Non-LED

• Military Lighting Market, By Solution Type:

• Hardware
• Software

• Military Lighting 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