Soldier Systems Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Equipment (Personal Protection, Communication, Navigation & Targeting, Others), By Application (Combat Operations, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Training and Simulation, Others), By Region, By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 12.12 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.97%
Fastest Growing Segment	Navigation & Targeting
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 16.21 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Soldier Systems Market will grow from USD 12.12 Billion in 2025 to USD 16.21 Billion by 2031 at a 4.97% CAGR. Soldier systems comprise integrated equipment suites designed to enhance infantry lethality, survivability, and situational awareness through the synchronization of personal protection, communication, and power solutions. The primary driver propelling this market is the global imperative for military modernization, as nations upgrade legacy gear to counter evolving asymmetric threats and ensure interoperability among allied forces. Additionally, heightened geopolitical instability has precipitated a sharp rise in procurement budgets allocated for tactical readiness. According to the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), in 2024, the defense sector recorded a turnover increase of 13.8 percent, reflecting this intensified demand for military capabilities.

However, market expansion is impeded by the significant size, weight, and power constraints of modern electronic equipment. The accumulation of sensors, radios, and battery packs creates excessive soldier load, which severely reduces mobility and physical endurance during extended operations. This necessitates complex engineering trade-offs to miniaturize components without compromising performance, a technical hurdle that frequently delays the development and deployment of integrated combat solutions.

Key Market Drivers

The expansion of global defense budgets and military expenditure serves as the primary catalyst for market growth. Nations are allocating substantial resources to bolster armed forces, directly facilitating the procurement of next-generation infantry gear. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), April 2024, in the 'Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2023' Fact Sheet, world military expenditure increased by 6.8 percent in real terms to reach $2443 billion in 2023. This capital influx allows defense departments to upgrade personnel protection and lethality systems. Furthermore, according to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in 2024, a record 23 of the Alliance’s member nations are expected to meet the guideline of spending at least 2 percent of their Gross Domestic Product on defense.

Simultaneously, the implementation of strategic soldier modernization programs accelerates the integration of advanced technologies and smart wearable systems. Defense agencies are transitioning to digital solutions designed to enhance situational awareness and operational efficiency. These initiatives involve large-scale contracts for networked combat suites, night vision optics, and communication devices. For instance, according to Elbit Systems Ltd., March 2024, in the 'Elbit Systems Awarded $300 Million Contract' press release, the company secured a contract worth approximately $300 million to supply defense solutions to an international customer. Such investments highlight the focus on equipping infantry with connected systems to maintain tactical superiority.

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Key Market Challenges

The expansion of the Global Soldier Systems Market is significantly restricted by the rigid Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) constraints associated with modern infantry equipment. As manufacturers integrate additional electronic components such as advanced sensors, radios, and battery packs into personal ensembles, the cumulative physical burden on the soldier increases drastically. This excessive load compromises the mobility, endurance, and cognitive performance of personnel during operations, leading military procurement officials to enforce strict weight limits that many emerging technologies fail to meet. Consequently, the market faces extended development cycles as engineers must prioritize the miniaturization of components over the rapid release of new capabilities, delaying the commercialization and deployment of integrated solutions.

This technical bottleneck persists even amidst a financially robust environment for the broader defense industry. According to the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), in 2024, the U.S. aerospace and defense industry generated $995 billion in combined sales, indicating a strong availability of capital and demand for military hardware. However, within the specific sector of soldier systems, the challenge of reducing equipment weight without sacrificing power or protection prevents this investment potential from fully translating into accelerated market growth. The complexity of resolving these engineering trade-offs creates a barrier to entry for new products, thereby slowing the overall momentum of the market.

Key Market Trends

The Deployment of Software-Defined Tactical Communication Networks is fundamentally reshaping infantry operations by enabling dynamic waveform updates and seamless interoperability. Unlike legacy hardware-constrained systems, these advanced networks allow defense forces to rapidly adapt to jamming and electronic warfare threats through software patches rather than physical replacement. This flexibility is critical for maintaining the common operating picture and ensuring secure data exchange at the tactical edge. Highlighting this demand, according to L3Harris Technologies, August 2024, in the 'US Marine Corps Orders L3Harris Multi-Channel Radios Under 10-Year IDIQ' press release, the company received an order worth more than $120 million for multi-channel handheld and vehicular radio systems. This investment underscores the shift toward resilient, upgradeable communication architectures.

Simultaneously, the Implementation of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) Capabilities is enhancing soldier survivability by integrating autonomous systems into squad-level maneuvers. By equipping infantry with personal reconnaissance drones, units can scout hazardous urban environments from safe standoff distances, effectively extending their sensory range without exposing personnel to enemy fire. This synergy between human decision-making and robotic autonomy is becoming a standard operational requirement for modern ground forces. Substantiating this trajectory, according to Teledyne FLIR, October 2024, in the 'Teledyne FLIR Defense Wins $91 Million Contract from U.S. Army for Black Hornet 4 Nano-Drones' press release, the company secured a contract worth up to $91 million to provide nano-unmanned aerial systems. Such procurements reveal the accelerating reliance on connected robotic assets for tactical superiority.

Segmental Insights

Market analysis identifies Navigation and Targeting as the fastest-growing segment within the Global Soldier Systems Market. This expansion is primarily driven by the urgent requirement for enhanced situational awareness and precision lethality in modern warfare. Defense organizations are actively integrating advanced technologies, such as laser rangefinders and augmented reality optics, to improve target acquisition and reduce collateral damage. Additionally, the shift toward network-centric warfare necessitates robust positioning solutions that operate effectively even in GPS-denied environments. These factors collectively compel military bodies to prioritize funding for superior navigation and targeting capabilities.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the global soldier systems market, primarily driven by substantial defense expenditures and extensive military modernization initiatives within the United States. The United States Department of Defense actively prioritizes programs focused on enhancing soldier survivability, situational awareness, and lethality. This commitment leads to continuous investment in advanced protective gear, communication networks, and power management solutions. Additionally, the presence of major defense contractors in the region supports rapid development and deployment of these technologies, ensuring North America remains the primary revenue generator in this sector.

Recent Developments

• In February 2025, Microsoft and Anduril Industries announced a strategic collaboration to enhance the U.S. Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS). Under this partnership, the companies proposed transitioning the leadership of production and future hardware and software development for the mixed-reality headset program to the defense technology firm. The agreement focused on integrating the partner’s Lattice software platform into the system to improve soldier situational awareness through advanced sensor fusion and edge computing capabilities. This collaboration marked a significant industrial shift intended to accelerate the delivery of a combat-ready, next-generation visual system to dismounted troops.
• In June 2024, Thales launched the first two radios in its new HF XL range during the Eurosatory defence and security exhibition. These resilient, wideband high-frequency radios were developed to provide land forces with secure, high-data-rate communications in high-intensity conflict scenarios where satellite links might be compromised or unavailable. The new systems enable command posts to maintain critical voice and data connectivity over long distances. This development underscored the company's focus on delivering robust communication solutions that ensure interoperability and information superiority for deployed units in contested electromagnetic environments.
• In May 2024, Galvion introduced a novel wireless charging concept for soldier systems, designated as BATLCHRG, during the SOF Week exhibition. This technology utilizes magnetic resonance to offer a seamless and efficient power transfer solution capable of charging multiple devices simultaneously without physical cables. The system was demonstrated in vehicle-integrated and wall-mounted configurations, showing its ability to function effectively even in harsh environments involving water, snow, or dust. This innovation aimed to reduce the cognitive and physical burden on warfighters by streamlining energy management and eliminating the complexity of traditional cable-based charging connections.
• In January 2024, Teledyne FLIR Defense unveiled a new long-range cooled thermal sniper sight at the annual SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The product, known as the ThermoSight HISS-HD, was designed to allow precision shooters to detect, identify, and engage targets at distances exceeding 2,200 meters with high accuracy. Engineered for seamless integration, the lightweight clip-on sight mounts easily on standard rail interfaces in front of existing scopes. This product launch highlighted the company's commitment to providing marksmen with superior overmatch capabilities and advanced thermal imaging technology suitable for identifying targets in diverse environmental conditions.

Key Market Players

• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• BAE Systems plc
• Kopin Corporation
• Thales S.A.
• Safariland, LLC
• Point Blank Enterprises, Inc.
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• Rheinmetall AG
• L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
• Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co KG

By Equipment	By Application	By Region
Personal Protection Communication Navigation & Targeting Others	Combat Operations Surveillance and Reconnaissance Training and Simulation Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Soldier Systems Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Soldier Systems Market, By Equipment:

• Personal Protection
• Communication
• Navigation & Targeting
• Others

• Soldier Systems Market, By Application:

• Combat Operations
• Surveillance and Reconnaissance
• Training and Simulation
• Others

• Soldier Systems 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