Rocket and Missile Market Insights, Size, Growth, Share, and Forecast, 2022–2029
- Rishika Chavan
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
According to Fortune Business Insights™, the global rocket and missile market size is projected to reach USD 84.77 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.58% during the forecast period. The market expansion is primarily driven by the increasing adoption of 3D printing technology in the production of advanced weapon systems, enabling faster prototyping and cost-efficient manufacturing of rockets and missiles for both military and space applications.
The integration of additive manufacturing techniques has transformed the aerospace and defense sectors. Governments and private defense manufacturers are leveraging 3D printing to design and engineer rockets and missiles with complex geometries. For instance, Lockheed Martin announced plans to develop the U.S.’s next-generation intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) using 3D printing. Similarly, NASA and SpaceX are exploring additive manufacturing for rocket engines, further driving market growth.
Key Companies in the Market
The report profiles several prominent players, including:
Thales Group (France)
ROKETSAN A.S. (Turkey)
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. (Israel)
MESKO (Poland)
Lockheed Martin Corporation (U.S.)
General Dynamics Corporation (U.S.)
Saab AB (Sweden)
Raytheon Technologies Corporation (U.S.)
Nammo AS (Norway)
MBDA (France)
KONGSBERG (Norway)
Denel Dynamics (South Africa)
Information Source:
Market Segmentation
By Type:The market is divided into rockets and missiles. Among missiles, ballistic missiles (including SRBMs, MRBMs, IRBMs, and ICBMs) and cruise missiles (subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic) dominate the landscape. Hypersonic cruise missiles, with speeds exceeding Mach 5, are witnessing increasing development in China and India. The rocket segment is expected to record strong growth due to rising artillery and air-launched systems across Europe and Asia Pacific.
By Platform:The market is categorized into airborne, naval, and ground platforms. Ground platforms dominate due to the widespread deployment of land-attack cruise missiles. Airborne platforms launch missiles from fighter aircraft, while naval platforms enhance offensive capabilities via aircraft carriers, corvettes, and other vessels. The naval segment is expected to grow significantly, holding a 23.12% share in 2021.
By Launch Mode:Launch modes include surface-to-surface, surface-to-air, air-to-air, air-to-surface, subsea-to-surface, and sea-to-sea. Surface-to-surface missiles dominate due to their extensive use in ground-based attacks. Air-to-air missiles are employed for aerial combat, and submarine-launched missiles target terrestrial sites.
By Propulsion:The propulsion segment includes solid, liquid, hybrid, scramjet, cryogenic, and others (ramjet, turbojet, pulsejet). Solid-fueled propulsion leads the market, benefiting from storage advantages and high thrust generation. Liquid fuel systems provide high impulse rates, while hybrid propulsion combines the benefits of both solid and liquid systems.
Latest Trends
The market is witnessing rapid transformation, primarily driven by the adoption of 3D-printed missile components. Advanced 3D printers enable the creation of single-piece structures such as warheads and engines, reducing production complexity and costs. In May 2022, AgniKul Cosmos filed a patent for its Agnilet, the world’s first single-piece 3D-printed second-stage engine.
Technological advancements in warfare are also key drivers. Countries like the U.S., China, and Russia are developing hypersonic missiles capable of reaching Mach 5 speeds. India is expanding its adoption of C5ISR systems to improve battlefield efficiency. In April 2022, North Korea tested a new tactical guided weapon enhancing its nuclear capability.
Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) missile systems are gaining prominence due to rising demand. ATR systems detect and identify enemy assets, including armored personnel carriers, tanks, and artillery, using artificial neural networks combined with Imaging Infrared (IR) technology. For instance, BAE Systems received a USD 7 billion contract to advance ATR and multi-source fusion algorithms, improving target recognition capabilities.
Regional Insights
North America is the largest market, valued at USD 19.29 billion in 2021, driven by extensive military modernization programs, fiber optic guidance systems, and the presence of key players such as Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, and Raytheon.
Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR, supported by China, Japan, and Australia’s increased defense spending, as well as initiatives like India’s Tejas MK-1A and South Korea’s KF-21 integrating advanced missile systems.
Europe is witnessing growth through private sector investments in precision-guided and autonomous targeting technologies. For instance, Russia signed a contract for 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missiles in August 2021.
Middle East growth is fueled by Saudi Arabia and Turkey’s missile deployments and regional defense modernization programs.
Rest of the World is expected to expand due to rising defense budgets in Latin America and Africa, focusing on fleet modernization and anti-poaching or surveillance operations.
Competitive Landscape
The rocket and missile market is highly competitive, driven by collaborations between governments and private defense contractors. Frequent awarding of contracts for missile development, modernization, and deployment underscores the market’s dynamic nature.
Key Focus Areas:
Hypersonic missile development
Integration of 3D printing in missile and rocket production
Advanced propulsion systems (solid, liquid, hybrid)
Precision-guided and autonomous targeting technologies
Recent Industry Developments
January 2022: The U.S. Air Force awarded SpaceX a USD 102 million contract for rocket transport of military supplies and humanitarian aid—the largest cargo contract to date.
February 2022: The U.S. Missile Defense Agency granted Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman contracts of approximately USD 20 million each to develop hypersonic missile interception prototypes.
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