Global Military Robots Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2031

Global Military Robots Market, By Type (Land, Marine, and Airborne), Platform (Land Robots, Marine Robots, and Airborne Robots), Propulsion (Electric, Mechanical, and Hybrid), Range (Land Range, Marine Range, and Airborne Range), System (Land System, Marine System, and Airborne System), Deployment Method (Land Deployment, Marine Deployment, and Airborne Deployment), Application (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Search and Rescue, Combat Support, Transportation, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Mine Clearance, Firefighting, and Others), Payout (Sensor, Radar, Weapon, and Others), Mode of Operation (Human Operated and Autonomous), End User (Defense and Homeland Security) – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2031.

Military Robots Market Analysis and Size

Advanced technology in the military robotics market offers strategic advantages with unmanned aerial, ground, and marine systems. These robots excel in surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat, mitigating risks in hazardous environments. Their precision and efficiency enhance military operations, ensuring superior situational awareness and mission success while reducing casualties and operational costs. Types of military robots encompass unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), ground robots, autonomous vehicles, and robotic exoskeletons, serving diverse military purposes.

For instance, in April 2021, South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) confirmed the completion of the exploratory development phase for the 66 unmanned surveillance vehicle. Following this milestone, the agency is poised to commence full-scale development of the strike-capable platform in the ensuing years.

Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the global military robots market size was valued at USD 20.55 billion in 2023, is projected to reach USD 40.65 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 8.9% during the forecast period 2024 to 2031. In addition to the insights on market scenarios such as market value, growth rate, segmentation, geographical coverage, and major players, the market reports curated by the Data Bridge Market Research also include in-depth expert analysis, geographically represented company-wise production and capacity, network layouts of distributors and partners, detailed and updated price trend analysis and deficit analysis of supply chain and demand.

Military Robots Market Scope and Segmentation  

Market Definition

Military robots, or unmanned autonomous systems, are advanced machines designed for combat and support roles. They operate without direct human control and can perform reconnaissance, surveillance, bomb disposal, and combat operations. These robots enhance military capabilities while reducing risks to human personnel in dangerous environments and raising ethical and strategic concerns.

Military Robots Market Dynamics

Drivers

• Rising Urban Warfare and Asymmetric Threats

Military robots play a crucial role in urban warfare and countering asymmetric threats by adeptly maneuvering through complex urban settings, detecting improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and neutralizing threats. Their deployment minimizes human risk while enhancing operational effectiveness in tackling urban-based challenges and asymmetrical warfare scenarios.

• Enhanced Situational Awareness

Military robots, equipped with advanced sensors and imaging systems, offer real-time data, bolstering commanders' situational awareness and decision-making on the battlefield. These technologies provide crucial intelligence, enabling rapid, informed responses to dynamic threats. Enhanced situational awareness through robot-assisted reconnaissance improves operational effectiveness and reduces risks to personnel in complex, high-stakes environments.

For instance, the Indian army has developed and deployed several robots, including the military robot dog, snake robot, wheeled robot with passive suspension, wall-climbing robot, legged robot, and robot sentry, enhancing its capabilities in various operational scenarios and bolstering its technological prowess.

Opportunities

• Increasing Force Multiplier

Military robots serve as force multipliers, bolstering human soldiers' capabilities to achieve missions with heightened efficiency and minimized risk. Through advanced technology and automation, they extend the reach and effectiveness of military units, contributing to enhanced combat outcomes and operational success in diverse scenarios.

For instance, in January 2021, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory's Combat Capabilities Development Command collaborated with North Carolina universities to pioneer bio-hybrid robotics studies. ARL aims to merge living tissues with metal to develop robots embodying the versatility and agility of living beings, projecting a sustained trend in the global military robots market.

• Rising Operational Efficiency

Military robots enhance operational efficiency by undertaking hazardous and repetitive duties like reconnaissance, surveillance, and bomb disposal, reducing human risk and fatigue in demanding environments. Their deployment minimizes risks faced by soldiers, allowing them to focus on critical missions while robots undertake hazardous duties, ultimately enhancing overall operational effectiveness on the battlefield.

For instance, in April 2021, the French Army conducted trials on Spot, a quadruped robot. Designed for remote piloting, Spot navigates difficult terrains unsuitable for wheeled or tracked robots. The trials demonstrate the military's exploration of advanced robotic capabilities for challenging environments, highlighting the potential utility of robots in army operations.

Restraints/Challenges

• Rising Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities

Military robots face cybersecurity risks such as hacking, communication channel jamming, and software/hardware vulnerabilities. These threats can compromise their performance and pose security risks. Safeguarding against cyberattacks is crucial to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of these systems in combat operations. However, these risks may impede market growth as cybersecurity concerns could deter potential users and investors.

• High Costs and Budget Constraints

The exorbitant expenses associated with researching, developing, and manufacturing military robots pose significant barriers, especially for governments grappling with budget limitations and diverse defense priorities. This financial strain may impede investment in this technology, hindering its widespread adoption and advancement in military operations.

This military robots market report provides details of new recent developments, trade regulations, import-export analysis, production analysis, value chain optimization, market share, impact of domestic and localized market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, strategic market growth analysis, market size, category market growths, application niches and dominance, product approvals, product launches, geographic expansions, technological innovations in the market. To gain more info on the military robots market, contact data bridge market research for an analyst brief, our team will help you take an informed market decision to achieve market growth.

Impact and Current Market Scenario of Raw Material Shortage and Shipping Delays

Data Bridge Market Research offers a high-level analysis of the market and delivers information by keeping in account the impact and current market environment of raw material shortage and shipping delays. This translates into assessing strategic possibilities, creating effective action plans, and assisting businesses in making important decisions.

Apart from the standard report, we also offer in-depth analysis of the procurement level from forecasted shipping delays, distributor mapping by region, commodity analysis, production analysis, price mapping trends, sourcing, category performance analysis, supply chain risk management solutions, advanced benchmarking, and other services for procurement and strategic support.

Expected Impact of Economic Slowdown on the Pricing and Availability of Products

When economic activity slows, industries begin to suffer. The forecasted effects of the economic downturn on the pricing and accessibility of the products are taken into account in the market insight reports and intelligence services provided by DBMR. With this, our clients can typically keep one step ahead of their competitors, project their sales and revenue, and estimate their profit and loss expenditures.

Recent Developments

• In October 2023, The US Army advances modernization efforts with integrated robots and human operators formations. The RCCTO seeks to merge existing science and technology, leveraging fielded programs, to enhance coordination on the battlefield
• In July 2022, Teledyne FLIR Defense secured a USD 62.1 million contract with the US Armed Services for 500 Centaur multi-mission robots
• In January 2022, China launched the world's largest electrically powered quadruped robot, designed for military logistics and reconnaissance missions. This four-legged robot boasts a payload capacity of 352 pounds and a speed of 10 kilometers per hour

Military Robots Market Scope

The military robots market is segmented on the basis of type, platform, propulsion, range, system, deployment method, application, payout, mode of operation, and end user. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyze meagre growth segments in the industries and provide the users with a valuable market overview and market insights to help them make strategic decisions for identifying core market applications.

Type

• Land
• Marine
• Airborne

 Platform

• Land Robots
• Marine Robots
• Airborne Robots

 Propulsion

• Electric
• Mechanical
• Hybrid

 Range

• Land Range
• Marine Range
• Airborne Range

 System

• Land System
• Marine System
• Airborne System

 Deployment Method

• Land Deployment
• Marine Deployment
• Airborne Deployment

 Application

• Intelligence
• Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
• Search and Rescue
• Combat Support
• Transportation
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
• Mine Clearance
• Firefighting
• Others

 Payout

• Sensor
• Radar
• Weapon
• Others

Mode of Operation

• Human Operated
• Autonomous

 End User

• Defense
• Homeland Security

Global Military Robots Market Regional Analysis/Insights

The military robots market is analysed and market size insights and trends are provided by type, platform, propulsion, range, system, deployment method, application, payout, mode of operation, and end user as referenced above.

The countries covered in the military robots market report are U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Rest of Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa, Brazil, Argentina and Rest of South America.

North America is expected to dominate the military robots market due to substantial government and private sector investments in defense, coupled with the presence of key market leaders. This dominance stems from robust technological advancements and strategic collaborations, positioning the region as a key driver of innovation and growth in the sector.

Europe is expected to witness significant growth in the military robots market, boasting the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the forecast period. This surge is attributed to the increased utilization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance purposes, reflecting a strategic shift towards advanced defense technologies in the region.

The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in regulation in the market domestically that impacts the current and future trends of the market. Data points such as down-stream and upstream value chain analysis, technical trends and porter's five forces analysis, case studies are some of the pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, impact of domestic tariffs and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.

Competitive Landscape and Military Robots Market Share Analysis

The military robots market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus related to military robots market.

Some of the major players operating in the military robots market are:

• Northrop Grumman (U.S.)
• Lockheed Martin Corporation (U.S.)
•  QinetiQ (U.K.)
• Cobham Limited (U.K.)
•  General Dynamics Corporation (U.S.)
•  Elbit Systems Ltd. (Israel)
•  IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries) (Israel)
•  AeroVironment, Inc. (U.S.)
•  Thales (France)
•  BAE Systems (U.K.)
•  SAAB (Sweden)
•  Boston Dynamics (U.S.)
•  Textron Systems (U.S.)
•  RTX (U.S.)
•  Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy)
•  Atlas Elektronik (Germany)
•  Roboteam (Israel)
•  ICOR Technology (Canada)
•  RE2, Inc. (U.S.)
•  Oshkosh Corporation (U.S.)
•  Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (U.S.)
•  General Atomics (U.S.)