Military Wearables Market Growth, Analysis, Insights, Forecast 2023–2030

According to Fortune Business Insights™, the global military wearables market size was valued at USD 7.83 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 8.09 billion in 2023 to USD 10.18 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.25% during the forecast period (2023–2030). The market is driven by the increasing demand for wearable electronic devices and equipment that enhance the operational efficiency, situational awareness, and safety of military personnel.

Military wearables include smartwatches, biometric monitoring systems, smart clothing, heads-up displays, smart eyewear, and exoskeletons, which are embedded into uniforms or worn by soldiers to support communication, health tracking, threat detection, and combat performance.

Key Companies Covered in the Military Wearables Market Report:

• Aselsan A.S. (Turkey)

• Elbit Systems Ltd. (Israel)

• General Dynamics Corporation (U.S.)

• Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.)

• L3Harris Technologies Inc. (U.S.)

• Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy)

• Lockheed Martin Corporation (U.S.)

• Microsoft Corporation (U.S.)

• Safariland LLC (U.S.)

• TE Connectivity Ltd. (Switzerland)

• Thales Group (France)

Source:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/military-wearable-market-103544

Segmentation:

By Wearable Type:The military wearables market is categorized into headwear, eyewear, wristwear, hearables, and bodywear. Among these, the bodywear segment held the largest market share during the forecast period. This dominance is attributed to the increasing adoption of advanced technologies in bodywear that enhance durability, mobility, and comfort, providing tactical advantages to soldiers in extreme environments. Leading companies are actively investing in research and development to engineer bodywear solutions that meet the rigorous demands of military operations. Meanwhile, the headwear segment is expected to be the fastest-growing due to rising demand for wearable systems integrated with technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Advancements such as built-in cameras, displays, and enhanced low-light capabilities are driving the rapid growth of this segment.

By Technology:In terms of technology, the market is segmented into smart textiles, network and connectivity management, exoskeleton, vision and surveillance, communication and computing, monitoring, power and energy source, and navigation. Among these, the communication and computing segment emerged as the largest, owing to the increasing integration of communication systems in wearable devices. These technologies allow soldiers to stay connected, share information securely, and access critical data in real time on the battlefield, thereby improving operational efficiency, situational awareness, and overall mission success.

By End User:Based on end user, the market is classified into land forces, naval forces, and air forces. The land forces segment dominated the market share in 2021 and is expected to maintain its lead over the forecast period. This is primarily driven by the increasing adoption of next-generation wearables such as lightweight body armor, smart helmets, and eyewear for ground troops. Land-based military operations often involve high-risk environments, necessitating reliable and advanced protective gear. For instance, in October 2020, the U.S. Army awarded Elbit Systems a contract to supply Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular Systems, while also equipping the Armed Forces of the Netherlands with advanced soldier systems. These developments are reinforcing the demand for innovative wearable technologies among land forces globally.

Latest Trends

A key trend in the market is the development and adoption of advanced wearable technologies such as smart clothing with biometric sensors, printed heaters for extreme weather, and AR/VR-enabled helmets. These innovations aim to enhance soldier survivability, mobility, and health monitoring. Biometric sensors, in particular, allow for real-time performance tracking and remote health diagnostics in combat zones.

Market Drivers

• Adoption of Advanced Wearable Technology: Military forces are increasingly adopting cutting-edge wearable devices that reduce load while improving functionality. Integrated sensors, AR headsets, and cloud-connected monitoring systems enable superior battlefield communication and performance analytics.

• Embedding More Capabilities: Modern military wearables offer multi-functionality, replacing traditional gear with lighter, SWaP-optimized solutions. This evolution supports real-time tracking, thermal regulation, situational data processing, and voice/data connectivity in the field.

Restraints

Despite strong demand, market growth is challenged by the high cost of wearable technologies and the preference for conventional military equipment in emerging economies. Countries with limited defense budgets, such as Sudan, the Philippines, and parts of Africa, often choose traditional gear over high-tech solutions, restricting global market penetration.

Regional Insights

• Asia Pacific dominated the global military wearables market in 2022 due to high defense personnel numbers in China and India, along with increasing defense modernization efforts.

• North America is expected to grow moderately owing to the U.S.’s large defense budget and high adoption of next-generation gear.

• Europe is projected to be the fastest-growing region, driven by rising investments in soldier protection technologies across France, Germany, the U.K., and Russia.

• The Middle East is rapidly advancing wearable adoption through programs like the Future Soldier initiative in Iran, Israel, and UAE.

• Latin America and Africa are witnessing moderate growth as nations invest in armor and wearable modernization despite financial constraints.

Key Industry Development 

October 2022 – L3Harris Technologies introduced the Iridium Distributed Tactical Communications System (DTCS), a new solution designed to enhance battlefield communications. The system enables secure push-to-talk voice and data sharing capabilities for military personnel across the globe. By integrating with the L3Harris AN/PRC-163 multi-channel handheld tactical radio, the DTCS mission module connects directly to the U.S. Space Force’s DTCS network, eliminating the need for a separate Iridium satellite radio. This innovation streamlines soldier communication equipment while maintaining robust, secure connectivity in combat environments.