Small Arms and Light Weapons Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Small Arms And Light Weapons), By End-User Sector (Law Enforcement, Military & Defense, Civil & Commercial), By Caliber (14.5 mm, 9 mm, 12.7 mm, 5.56 mm, 14.9 mm, 7.62 mm), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Market Overview

The Global Small Arms and Light Weapons Market will grow from USD 14.56 Billion in 2025 to USD 22.04 Billion by 2031 at a 7.15% CAGR. The Global Small Arms and Light Weapons market comprises man-portable lethal instruments such as pistols, rifles, carbines, and light machine guns designed for use by individuals or small crews. Growth is primarily propelled by extensive military modernization programs and increased budget allocations for law enforcement agencies seeking to upgrade aging arsenals. Additionally, the civilian sector contributes significantly through sustained demand for personal security and participation in shooting sports. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, in 2024, the total economic impact of the firearm and ammunition industry in the United States reached $91.7 billion.

One major challenge hindering market scalability is the stringent and fragmented regulatory framework governing international arms transfers and ownership. Manufacturers face complex export control measures and compliance protocols that vary significantly across jurisdictions, often delaying deliveries and increasing operational costs. These regulatory hurdles, while intended to prevent illicit proliferation, simultaneously create substantial barriers to entry and impede the seamless flow of legitimate global trade.

Key Market Drivers

Surging defense budgets and government expenditure, primarily driven by escalating geopolitical tensions, represent the foremost catalyst for the Global Small Arms and Light Weapons Market. As nations grapple with unstable security environments, there is a prioritized allocation of capital towards the modernization of infantry arsenals and the replenishment of strategic stockpiles. This fiscal expansion is not limited to major powers but is a global phenomenon, ensuring sustained procurement contracts for advanced assault rifles, light machine guns, and modular ballistic solutions. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, April 2025, world military expenditure rose to a record $2,718 billion in 2024, reflecting a 9.4 percent increase in real terms which directly funds these extensive equipment upgrade programs.

Simultaneously, the market is significantly reinforced by growing civilian demand for personal security and self-defense, particularly in regions with established ownership rights. Heightened public safety concerns prompt individuals to invest in firearms for protection, creating a resilient commercial sector that acts as a stable revenue stream for manufacturers distinct from volatile government contracts. This robust demand is evidenced by transaction volumes; according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, January 2025, the annual adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure for firearm sales in the United States totaled over 15.2 million in 2024. Major industry players continue to capitalize on this trend; according to Sturm, Ruger & Company, November 2025, the manufacturer reported net sales of $126.8 million for the third quarter alone, underscoring the segment's enduring financial impact.

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Key Market Challenges

The stringent and fragmented regulatory framework governing international arms transfers acts as a significant constraint on the Global Small Arms and Light Weapons Market, directly hampering its scalability. Manufacturers are required to navigate a complex labyrinth of export control measures, end-user verification processes, and varying compliance protocols that differ vastly across jurisdictions. These bureaucratic hurdles create substantial bottlenecks in the supply chain, often resulting in prolonged lead times for license approvals and shipment releases. Consequently, the seamless flow of legitimate trade is disrupted, preventing companies from efficiently fulfilling international contracts and increasing the financial burden of compliance.

The impact of these regulatory barriers is evident in the volatility of export volumes, where procedural friction can stifle market activity despite existing demand. For instance, the commercial export sector frequently experiences fluctuations driven by these restrictive trading environments. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, in 2024, handgun exports from the United States decreased by 38.6 percent in January compared to the same period in the previous year. Such declines highlight how rigorous and disjointed regulatory mechanisms can impede the consistent movement of goods, thereby limiting the overall growth potential of the global market.

Key Market Trends

The Adoption of Next-Generation 6.8mm Caliber Weapon Systems constitutes a strategic pivot in military armaments, driven by the necessity to penetrate advanced ballistic body armor and extend effective engagement distances beyond the capabilities of legacy 5.56mm platforms. This trend is defined by the migration toward high-pressure, intermediate-caliber cartridges that deliver superior terminal ballistics without the weight penalty of heavier battle rifles, fundamentally altering infantry logistics and lethality. According to Military.com, March 2024, in the 'The Army Has Finally Fielded Its Next Generation Squad Weapons' article, the U.S. Army officially delivered the first operational XM7 rifles and XM250 automatic rifles to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, marking a historic material release that initiates the service-wide replacement of the M4 carbine fleet.

Simultaneously, the Development of Biometric and User-Authenticated Smart Firearms is reshaping the civilian sector by integrating advanced identity-verification technologies directly into the fire control mechanisms of personal defense weapons. This innovation addresses heightened safety concerns by utilizing fingerprint sensors and 3D facial recognition to prevent unauthorized access while maintaining instant readiness for the owner, thereby creating a new secure product category. Validating this market progression, according to Biofire, August 2024, in the 'Defense Tech Startup Biofire Delivers Its Consumer Smart Gun to Initial Customers' press release, the company successfully shipped the first production units of its 9mm Smart Gun to commercial buyers, establishing the first commercially available firearm system solely reliant on biometric authentication for operation.

Segmental Insights

The Military & Defense segment is currently the fastest-growing category in the Global Small Arms and Light Weapons Market due to escalating geopolitical tensions and the subsequent expansion of national defense budgets. Governments worldwide are actively prioritizing the modernization of infantry inventories to replace aging equipment and address emerging cross-border security challenges. This surge in procurement is further driven by strategic requirements from alliances such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which encourages member states to upgrade standard-issue weaponry to ensure interoperability during joint operations, thereby sustaining high demand within the sector.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the Global Small Arms and Light Weapons Market, primarily driven by high civilian demand for self-defense and sporting activities in the United States. This regional leadership is reinforced by substantial defense budgets allocated for military modernization programs, which ensure consistent procurement of infantry equipment. The presence of established domestic manufacturers further supports a robust supply chain. Additionally, clear regulatory frameworks enforced by agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives provide a structured environment for commercial sales, sustaining the region's prominent market status.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, Heckler & Koch commenced the series delivery of the G95A1 and G95KA1 assault rifles to the German Armed Forces. This event concluded a procurement process initiated to replace the G36 rifle, with the new standard infantry weapons based on the company's HK416 A8 platform. The delivery of the first batch signaled the start of a broader modernization program intended to equip the Bundeswehr with a modular, NATO-compatible system. The Chief Executive Officer of Heckler & Koch highlighted that the order underscored the industry's capability to supply high-precision equipment to meet the operational needs of national defense forces.
• In May 2024, Colt CZ Group SE announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Sellier & Bellot, a traditional Czech ammunition manufacturer. The transaction, valued at $703 million, involved both a cash consideration and the issuance of new common shares, resulting in the selling entity becoming a significant shareholder in the group. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Colt CZ Group stated that this strategic move would strengthen the company's position in the small-caliber ammunition segment. The acquisition was financed through existing cash resources and debt financing, further diversifying the group's portfolio beyond firearms into complementary defense industries.
• In May 2024, FN Herstal unveiled a new variant of its widely used FN Minimi Mk3 light machine gun to address evolving operational requirements. The updated weapon features a feed cover with a long, rigid top rail designed to facilitate the inline mounting of multiple optical sights, such as day and night vision combinations. This modification was engineered to improve precision and reliability for operators in diverse combat conditions. The company also introduced a new retention latch to keep the cover open during loading, compensating for the additional weight of attached accessories and ensuring safe handling.
• In March 2024, the United States Army officially fielded the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) system, manufactured by SIG Sauer, to soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division. This delivery marked a significant milestone in the military's modernization efforts, replacing the legacy M4 carbines and M249 Squad Automatic Weapons with the new XM7 rifles and XM250 automatic rifles. The weapons utilize 6.8mm ammunition designed to provide greater lethality and range against modern body armor. The fielding followed a comprehensive testing process and represented the first unit-level distribution of these advanced small arms platforms to close-combat forces.

Key Market Players

• Heckler & Koch
• Colt
• Beretta USA Corp.
• FN HERSTAL
• Glock, Inc.
• Kalashnikov Concern JSC
• RemArms LLC.
• KNDS France
• SIG SAUER
• General Dynamics Corporation
• Smith & Wesson
• DASAN MACHINERIES CO., LTD.

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Small Arms and Light Weapons Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Small Arms and Light Weapons Market, By Type:

• Small Arms And Light Weapons

• Small Arms and Light Weapons Market, By End-User Sector:

• Law Enforcement
• Military & Defense
• Civil & Commercial

• Small Arms and Light Weapons Market, By Caliber:

• 14.5 mm
• 9 mm
• 12.7 mm
• 5.56 mm
• 14.9 mm
• 7.62 mm

• Small Arms and Light 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