In recent years, the global defence sector has witnessed a paradigm shift towards increased automation, driven by mounting security threats, emerging technologies and strategic defence spend. The Automated Weapon System Market Size is a clear exemplar of this trend. According to MRFR data, the market was valued at USD 41.58 billion in 2024, and is projected to grow to USD 77.64 billion by 2035 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.84 %.

Industry Overview

Automated weapons—ranging from unmanned aerial vehicles and autonomous ground platforms to advanced sensors and control systems—are increasingly sought after by defence forces and governments globally. The industry’s expansion is spurred by rising geopolitical tensions, defence modernisation programmes, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics into modern combat systems.

Market Outlook

With a 2024 base of USD 41.58 billion and a forecast reaching USD 77.64 billion by 2035, the market is projected to maintain consistent, if moderate, growth. Growth will be supported by increased defence budgets, especially in North America (the largest regional market) and the Asia-Pacific (fastest growth).

Key Players

Major defence contractors dominate the landscape. Among those profiled are Lockheed Martin Corporation (US), Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), Raytheon Technologies Corporation (US), BAE Systems PLC (UK), General Dynamics Corporation (US), Thales Group (France), Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy), Elbit Systems Ltd. (Israel) and Saab AB (Sweden). These firms are investing heavily in R&D, acquisitions, and global partnerships to gain competitive advantage.

Segmentation Growth

MRFR segments the market by type, component, deployment mode, end-user, and region.

• By type: Land systems currently hold the largest share, while aerial systems (e.g., unmanned aerial vehicles) represent the fastest-growing segment.
• By component: The command and control systems segment dominates today; sensors are emerging fastest owing to rising demand for real-time data and target tracking.
• By deployment mode: On-premises deployments are predominant, but cloud-based solutions are beginning to gain traction.
• By end-user: The military sector remains the largest customer; however, defence contractors are increasingly important growth drivers.
• By region: North America leads, with Europe and Asia-Pacific trailing but with stronger growth trajectories in APAC.

Final Thoughts

As defence forces globally pivot toward automated, network-centric systems, the automated weapon system market emerges as a strategic area of growth. While the CAGR of 5.84-6% suggests measured expansion rather than explosive growth, the long-term forecast to 2035 indicates substantial enduring opportunity. Companies positioned to deliver advanced automation, sensor fusion, AI-based targeting and secure deployment modes are likely to capture a strong share of this evolving market.