Non-Lethal Weapons Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Area Denial, Ammunition, Explosives, Gases and Sprays, Directed Energy Weapons, Electroshock Weapons), By Application Type (Law Enforcement, Military) By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 7.06 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.85%
Fastest Growing Segment	Electroshock Weapons
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 9.93 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Non-Lethal Weapons Market will grow from USD 7.06 Billion in 2025 to USD 9.93 Billion by 2031 at a 5.85% CAGR. The Global Non-Lethal Weapons Market encompasses distinct systems such as directed energy devices, acoustic deterrents, and chemical agents designed to incapacitate targets while minimizing the risk of fatalities or permanent injury. The primary drivers fueling industry expansion include the rising frequency of civil unrest, a heightened operational requirement to limit collateral damage, and the comprehensive modernization of law enforcement protocols globally. According to the National Tactical Officers Association, in 2024, the organization delivered specialized tactical training to over 14,700 public safety professionals, illustrating the sector’s surging demand for advanced proficiency and equipment integration.

However, the market faces a significant impediment in the form of stringent regulatory frameworks and ethical scrutiny regarding the potential misuse of force. These liabilities often result in prolonged procurement cycles and restrictive export controls, which can substantially delay the deployment of these technologies across international jurisdictions and hinder broader market accessibility.

Key Market Drivers

Escalating global civil unrest and political instability are the primary catalysts propelling the Global Non-Lethal Weapons Market, as governments urgently seek to manage volatile crowds without resorting to lethal measures. The proliferation of protests, riots, and politically motivated disorders necessitates equipment that bridges the gap between verbal warnings and deadly force, ensuring public order while adhering to international human rights standards. This volatility has reached historic highs, compelling security agencies to stockpile intermediate force capabilities to mitigate the economic and social costs of unchecked violence. According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, August 2024, in the 'Conflict Index Results: July 2024', global political violence events increased by 15% over the previous 12 months, with more than 165,000 incidents recorded worldwide, underscoring the critical need for effective riot management solutions.

Concurrently, technological innovations in directed energy and less-lethal munitions are accelerating the modernization of law enforcement arsenals, driving a shift away from legacy equipment toward sophisticated incapacitation tools. Manufacturers are developing systems with greater accuracy and reliability, which encourages agencies to upgrade their inventories for improved officer safety and suspect management. This trend is evident in the financial performance of key industry leaders. According to Axon Enterprise, November 2024, in the 'Q3 2024 Shareholder Letter', TASER segment revenue grew 36% year-over-year to $222 million, driven by demand for advanced energy weapon platforms. The broader market reflects this surging demand across various end-user segments. According to Byrna Technologies, in 2024, the company achieved a record fiscal third-quarter revenue of $20.9 million, marking a 194% increase compared to the prior year.

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Key Market Challenges

The Global Non-Lethal Weapons Market is currently hindered by the stringent regulatory frameworks and intense ethical scrutiny surrounding the deployment of force. Governments and international bodies are increasingly implementing rigorous export controls and usage protocols to prevent human rights violations, which directly disrupts the supply chain. This heightened oversight forces manufacturers to navigate complex legal landscapes, resulting in prolonged procurement cycles that delay the delivery of critical equipment to law enforcement agencies. Consequently, these liabilities restrict market accessibility and discourage the adoption of advanced incapacitation technologies in regions with volatile political climates.

The impact of this scrutiny is quantifiable within the broader security sector. According to the Security Industry Association, in 2024, approximately 54% of security technology firms indicated that negative public perception regarding the ethical application of advanced technologies was a primary factor limiting their business expansion. This data underscores how ethical concerns translate into tangible market barriers, causing hesitation among stakeholders and slowing the integration of modern non-lethal systems. As regulatory bodies continue to prioritize ethical compliance over rapid deployment, the industry faces persistent challenges in maintaining consistent growth across international jurisdictions.

Key Market Trends

Advancements in Directed Energy Weapon Capabilities are reshaping the market by introducing systems capable of neutralizing threats through electromagnetic disablement rather than physical trauma. Unlike traditional kinetic options, these high-power microwave (HPM) technologies focus on incapacitating vehicle electronics and unmanned aerial swarms, offering a strategic advantage in convoy protection and infrastructure defense. This shift toward non-kinetic counter-electronics solutions allows military and security forces to disable adversarial machinery without risking human life or causing collateral structural damage. According to Epirus, September 2024, in a press release regarding the 'Expeditionary Directed Energy Counter-Swarm' initiative, the company secured a $5.5 million contract to deliver a high-power microwave weapon prototype to the U.S. Marine Corps, highlighting the operational prioritization of these advanced neutralization capabilities.

Simultaneously, the Adoption of Acoustic and Sonic Deterrence Devices is gaining momentum as agencies prioritize clear long-range communication to de-escalate potential conflicts before force is required. These systems serve a critical gap in maritime and border security, enabling operators to transmit authoritative warnings and intense acoustic tones over vast distances to determine intent and deter intrusion. This capability is increasingly vital for naval operations where distinguishing between innocent civilians and potential combatants is essential to prevent unnecessary lethal engagement. According to Genasys Inc., December 2024, in the 'Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results', the company reported an 86% year-over-year increase in international hardware bookings, driven by renewed demand for Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRAD) from naval and defense customers.

Segmental Insights

In the Global Non-Lethal Weapons Market, the Electroshock Weapons segment is currently the fastest-growing category. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by the widespread modernization of law enforcement agencies, which are increasingly prioritizing safety and reduced liability during suspect apprehension. Governments worldwide are mandating the adoption of these devices to minimize fatalities and severe injuries often associated with conventional firearms. Furthermore, technological advancements that improve the accuracy and accountability of these weapons have significantly accelerated their deployment across police and security forces globally.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific stands as the leading region in the Global Non-Lethal Weapons Market, driven by rapid adoption rates and escalating security requirements. This regional dominance is fueled by widespread civil unrest and political instability, prompting governments in China and India to prioritize crowd control modernization. Law enforcement agencies are shifting toward non-lethal technologies, including directed-energy systems, to manage dense urban populations while minimizing civilian casualties. Furthermore, ongoing border tensions and increased defense expenditures underscore the region's critical role in shaping global demand, establishing Asia Pacific as the central hub for industry development and strategic procurement.

Recent Developments

• In October 2025, Wrap Technologies introduced the MERLIN-Interdictor, a new non-lethal drone-as-first-responder system. The company designed this system to transform standard drones into active public safety tools by integrating its proprietary BolaWrap technology, which deploys a Kevlar tether to restrain individuals from a distance. The Chief Commercial Officer of Wrap Technologies noted that this innovation offered agencies a novel capability to interdict and potentially save lives by deterring, delaying, or disrupting threatening behavior before officers physically arrived on the scene. The system was positioned as a safer alternative for managing dynamic urban operations and school safety programs.
• In September 2025, Genasys Inc. announced a $9.0 million order for its Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) systems from the U.S. Army. This order was part of the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Stations (CROWS) program and marked the first production order for acoustic hailing devices following the successful qualification of the LRAD 450XL-RT model. The company indicated that these systems would be integrated into existing weapon stations to provide operators with the ability to communicate with threats and de-escalate situations before resorting to lethal force. The Chief Executive Officer of Genasys Inc. stated that this capability would enhance operator safety and reduce non-combatant casualties.
• In June 2024, Rheinmetall and Anduril Industries signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly design and develop layered Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) air defense solutions. The collaboration aimed to combine Rheinmetall’s command and control systems with Anduril’s autonomous Lattice software platform and hardware components. The companies announced that the resulting systems would feature a comprehensive mix of sensors and effectors, ranging from hard-kill mechanisms to non-lethal effectors. This strategic partnership was established to address the evolving drone threat in European markets by offering a system that increased survivability and operational advantages through a range of defensive responses.
• In January 2024, Byrna Technologies showcased its latest non-lethal personal security devices, including the Byrna SD and Byrna LE launchers, at the SHOT Show. The company presented these handheld, CO2-powered launchers as effective less-lethal alternatives to firearms for both law enforcement and civilian markets. The devices were designed to fire chemical irritant and kinetic projectiles that can incapacitate threats from a distance of up to 60 feet. During the event, representatives emphasized the unique pull-pierce technology and the ability of the launchers to provide a standoff distance, allowing users to de-escalate dangerous situations without the legal and safety risks associated with lethal weapons.

Key Market Players

• AMTEC Less-Lethal Systems Inc.
• Combined Systems Inc.
• ASP, Inc.
• Fiocchi Munizioni SpA
• FN HERSTAL S.A.
• Axon Enterprise, Inc.
• Lamperd Inc.
• Byrna Technologies Inc.
• NonLethal Technologies Inc.
• UTS United Tactical Systems

By Type	By Application Type	By Region
Area Denial Ammunition Explosives Gases and Sprays Directed Energy Weapons Electroshock Weapons	Law Enforcement Military	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Non-Lethal Weapons Market, By Type:

• Area Denial
• Ammunition
• Explosives
• Gases and Sprays
• Directed Energy Weapons
• Electroshock Weapons

• Non-Lethal Weapons Market, By Application Type:

• Law Enforcement
• Military

• Non-Lethal Weapons 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