Military Wearables Market Growth, Size, Share & Russia-Ukraine War Impact Analysis, By Wearable Type (Headwear, Eyewear, Wristwear, Hearables, and Bodywear), By Technology (Smart Textiles, Network and Connectivity Management, Exoskeleton, Vision & Surveillance, Communication & Computing Monitoring, Power and Energy Source, and Navigation), By End User (Land Forces, Naval Forces, and Air Forces), and Regional Forecasts, 2023-2030

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. Asia Pacific dominated the military wearable market with a market share of 30.01% in 2022.

Military wearables technology refers to electronic devices and equipment worn by soldiers or other military personnel as part of their uniforms or gear. These devices can include communication systems, navigation systems, various types of sensor systems, and different types of technology that can enhance soldiers' ability to perform their duties, boosting the military wearables market growth. Additionally, military wearables include smart watches, smart eyewear, heads-up displays, and exoskeletons. These devices can be connected to the internet, allowing soldiers to share information and coordinate with other unit members. Moreover, the increasing adoption of technology in wearables that incorporate advanced solutions can include a wide range of devices and systems such as Augmented Reality (AR), powered exoskeletons, biometric monitoring systems, smart clothing, and intelligent tactical systems, which aid the market growth in the forecast period.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR IMPACT

Increasing Demand for Wearables for Protection of Personnel to Bolster Market Growth

In the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, many countries dependent on Russia and Ukraine for defense supplies have started focusing on self-reliance in defense. As the Russian-Ukraine war changes, the world is impacted by a new wave of accelerating defense spending. However, these conflicts can have a more significant effect than the military budget. It can also catalyze variations in procurement priorities.

The Russian-Ukraine War has also changed the balance of defense procurement, and the defense needs to prepare for that change. However, developed and developing countries such as the U.S., U.K., Germany, and China have witnessed increased military expenditure in 2021. For instance, according to an analysis by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the Consolidated Region military spending has increased by 2.6% and reached the value of USD 1981 Million in 2021. Additionally, due to the war situation, the Ukraine government has ordered body armor and helmets from the Turkish company Aselsan.

LATEST TRENDS

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Development of Advanced Technologies and their Increasing Adoption to Aid Market Proliferation

The personnel who protect the country deserve the best technology available equipment for self-protection and self-monitoring. Wearable equipment for military soldiers, such as biometric sensors and printed heaters, can help give personnel an edge. Additionally, more new technologies in wearables are providing sustainability, mobility, and safety for personnel in hazardous situations. Technologies such as thin and flexible heaters in military clothing provide warmth in terrible weather conditions by adding a thin layer of the printed heater under the gloves, boots, helmets, and jackets. Biometric sensors give solutions for remote health monitoring in soldiers. Further, smart clothing with biometric sensors can help with performance monitoring at the individual level. Implementing biometric sensors into military personnel's clothing makes it easy to monitor muscle activity, fatigue, and symmetry.

DRIVING FACTORS

Adoption of Advanced Wearable Technology to Boost Market Growth 

Military wearables are revolutionary products that could impact the armed forces in the coming years. Many pieces of equipment and gadgets can become integral to a soldier's wearable or uniform, freeing him from carrying additional payloads. Moreover, the soldier-mounted wired microsensors could be integrated into a captive wireless network and connected to a cloud-based centralized server. This will help in monitoring soldiers' health performance and provide better connectivity with the crew members. Devoted applications can be industrialized to monitor and control the soldiers deployed in hazardous missions or areas.

Furthermore, communication networks can be the next in line. Implantable sensor technology, including Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs), tied with technologies such as the Internet of Battlefield Things (IoBT), would make battlefield management fully digital. These advanced technologies are driving market growth during the forecast period.

Embedding More Capabilities in Wearable Military Technologies to Aid Market Augmentation

In the military arena, all gear has to be carefully considered in terms of size, weight, and power (SWaP). Adding more weight will make soldiers less mobile, agile, responsive, and effective. Wearables eliminate the need to carry gear in a pack or by hand, and by embedding more capabilities into those wearables, the overall technology load is streamlined. More abilities are being integrated into personal equipment, enabling military personnel to carry fewer devices, thus driving market growth. Further, military wearables include communications devices, heated clothing, health and performance monitors, and tracking devices. Battlefield communications go beyond exchanging voice messages. Military technologies must be multifunctional and portable. Instead of adding more widgets and bulking out the soldier, new wearable technologies are creating small and multifunctional devices to connect humans and be more reliable for soldiers on the battlefield.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Adoption of Conventional Equipment by Developing Nations to Hinder Market Proliferation

However, it is anticipated that market development would be hampered by emerging economies purchasing conventional combat equipment rather than cutting-edge military wearables. On the other hand, the exoskeleton, smart textiles, power and energy management, and communication systems have more cost than conventional equipment. Financial instability is becoming more prevalent in emerging economies, a significant issue restricting market expansion. Countries like Sudan, the Philippines, and South Africa, among others, are forced to procure conventional weapon systems rather than invest in advanced technology military equipment due to a high inflation rate, low GDP, and low military expenditure.

SEGMENTATION

By Wearable Type Analysis

Based on wearable type, the market is divided into headwear, eyewear, wristwear, hearables, and bodywear.

In wearable type, the bodywear segment held the largest market share during the forecast period. The increasing adoption of advanced technologies in bodywear is boosting segmental growth in the coming years. The key players have been undertaking extensive research and engineering to help the consumer withstand harsh conditions, provide maximum mobility and comfort, and provide tactical advantages, creating lucrative growth during the forecast period.

Further, headwear accounted for the fastest growing segment during the forecast period due to huge demand and integration of headwear with different advanced technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Argument Reality (AR). Further, the modernization in military headwear, such as integrated cameras and displays for enhanced low capabilities, boosted segmental growth.

The increasing research & development in eyewear to enhance soldiers' abilities in the field boosts the market growth. For instance, in October 2021, the U.S. army and Microsoft contracted AR Glasses to the U.S. army. These glasses, called the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), are integrated with various technologies, such as night and thermal vision and augmented reality, that allows the soldier to fight, rehearse, and train.

In recent years, the increasing development in wristwear for military use is creating lucrative opportunities in the forecast period. The various technologies are integrated into a single device with multiple functions, such as communication, health monitoring system, and navigation, which boost the market growth.

By Technology Analysis

Rising Adoption of Communication & Computing Equipment in the Modern Battlefield for Better Connectivity, Protection, and Situational Awareness to Boost the Market

Based on technology, the market is classified into smart textiles, network and connectivity management, exoskeleton, vision & surveillance, communication & computing, monitoring, power and energy source, and navigation.

Communication & computing is the largest segment during the forecast period. The rising adoption of communication technology in wearable devices will aid market growth. These devices allow soldiers to be more connected and efficient on the battlefield, as they can easily communicate with each other and access important information.

With rising technological-based equipment for military personnel to protect and give them real-time situational awareness in the field, the vision & surveillance segment is the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. Leading players are introducing technologies such as artificial intelligence in the devices, sensors in smart textiles for personnel body measures, advanced eyewear, communication, and navigation systems, thereby gaining attraction from military forces.

For instance, in October 2020, BAE Systems introduced the illuminated Hawkeye HWK1411, the ultra-low-light image sensor with night vision capabilities with reduced size, weight, and power. The 1.6-megapixel sensor provides high-performance imaging capabilities in all light conditions and is optimal for battery-powered soldier systems, unmanned platforms, and targeting and surveillance applications.

By End User Analysis

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Increasing Adoption of Various Wearables Equipment by Land Forces for Special Operation Application Aids the Market Growth

By end user, the market is divided into land forces, naval forces, and air forces. The land forces segment held most of the worldwide market share in 2021. Increasing adoption of next-generation body armor, lightweight military wearables, eyewear and helmets, and other equipment by land forces is a key factor driving the segment's growth. For instance, in October 2020, U.S. Army awarded a contract to Elbit Systems to supply next-level Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular Systems for personnel in the war field. Moreover, in October 2020, Elbit Systems provided Soldier Systems to the Armed Forces of the Netherlands.

The air forces segment is the fastest growing segment during the forecast period due to the rising adoption of technologically based advanced systems by aircraft pilots, which drives segmental growth. For instance, Elbit Systems and Rockwell Collins introduced a Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS) for F-35 Gen III fighter aircraft. The helmet is made of carbon fiber to overcome weight and reinforced with a checkerboard pattern and Kevlar to stay rigid. Additionally, it provides pilots with real-time information such as airspeed, heading, altitude, targeting, and warnings. According to both companies, these helmets cost around USD 400,000.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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The global market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South East Asia, the Balkans, the Middle East, and the Rest of the World.

Asia Pacific is the dominating region in the military wearables market in 2022. Countries like China and India have the most armed forces in land, naval, and airborne platforms. So it needs more wearable equipment for its application in various situations. Moreover, the adoption of advanced wearables in this region is boosting the demand for wearables during the forecast period.

The market in North America is predicted to grow at a moderate CAGR during the estimated period. The U.S. had the highest defense budget in 2021. The rise in the adoption of next-generation advanced wearables for personnel and the presence of key manufacturers are estimated to fuel the market growth in North America. Moreover, increasing the federal budget for military procurement plans for all military platforms, such as air, sea, and land, will drive market growth during the forecast period.

Europe is the second-largest market in 2022 and is estimated to be the fastest-growing market during the forecast period. The increasing adoption of wearables in all platforms, such as armed forces, naval forces, and air forces, for various threat protection applications across the region. Additionally, several countries such as Germany, France, Russia, Spain, and the U.K. are investing in advanced technological products for threat/soldier protection. Increased spending in wearables for enhanced soldier capabilities aids the Europe market growth in the upcoming years.

Iran, Turkey, Israel, and the UAE in the Middle East region are increasing investment in the Future Soldier's Program to strengthen their armed personnel with more advanced wearables. Additionally, adopting technological devices for the military, which can benefit the soldiers during training, on-ground service, or war, thereby boosting the regional market growth during the forecast period.

Latin America and Africa are increasing the adoption of next-level armor protection with advanced technology-based products for personnel, which can be helpful on the battlefield. The rest of the world's market is growing moderately as rising military expenditure by various countries in both regions drives the market growth.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

The competitive landscape of the global market depicts the domination of top military wearables players such as Elbit System Ltd., Leonardo S.p.A., L3harris Technologies Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, and others. Key players focus on investments in research and development to diversify their product portfolio. They also focus on business expansion strategies such as agreements, mergers and acquisitions, and long-term contracts with multinational companies and governments of various countries.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• 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 (Florida)


• TE Connectivity Ltd. (Switzerland)


• Thales Group (France)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

• October 2022 – L3Harris Technologies launched a new product called Iridium Distributed Tactical Communications Systems (DTCS). This product is used for push-to-talk voice and data for fighters worldwide. The mission module connects with the L3Harris AN/PRC-163 channel and provides secure voice and data communication without having a satellite radio.


• October 2022 – The U.S. Army awarded a contract to L3Harris Technologies to provide AN/PRC-163 Leader and AN/PRC-158 Manpack radios. These products deliver multi-mission networking ability for personnel in the war field. The contract's total value was USD 235 million and included a five-year base and an additional five-year option.


• October 2022 – The Canadian Department of National Defense awarded a contract to Logistik Unicorp to provide functional clothing and footwear to equip military personnel. Under the contract, Logistik Unicorp will supply operational gear for 160,000 personnel, including regular and reserve force members. The total value of the agreement was USD 2.82 Million.

• February 2022 – The Defense Ministry representatives of three countries, Norway, Finland, and Sweden, signed a contract on the joint acquisition for soldiers from all the Nordic countries to deliver uniforms from the same manufacturers. The contract's total value was USD 435.46 million, and the first delivery will start in 2022.

• July 2022 – The U.S. Marine Corps was awarded a contract worth USD 176 million to L3Harris Technologies to provide multi-channel handheld and vehicular radio systems.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The report brings a comprehensive analysis of the market and highlights key aspects such as key players, objects, offerings, and end users of military wearables. Moreover, the research report provides insights into the competitive landscape, market trends, market competition, product pricing, regional analysis, market players, competition landscape, and the market status and highlights key industry growths. In addition to the factors stated above, the report encompasses several direct and indirect influences that have subsidized the sizing of the global market in recent years.

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