The global military transport aircraft market size reached USD 34.1 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, the analyst expects the market to reach USD 42.6 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 2.39% during 2025-2033.
Military transport aircraft are specially designed fixed and rotary wing cargo aircraft used to deliver troops, weapons, vehicles, and other military equipment. They support military operations by performing multi-role duties, such as aerial refueling, rescue missions, and intelligence-gathering. As military transport aircraft have a huge cargo storage space, they are also used to transport personnel and army supplies during military operations. They play a crucial role in maintaining supply lines to forward locations inaccessible by land or sea and can be employed for both strategic and tactical operations. As a result, military transport aircraft are widely used for combat operations, transportation, emergency services, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Moreover, the integration of advanced communication systems to facilitate the transfer of real-time data of cargo to the experts at the air traffic control (ATC) is acting as another growth-inducing factor. Furthermore, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic facilitated the utilization of military transport aircraft to deliver personal protective equipment (PPE), medicines, and ventilators from foreign countries is positively influencing the market growth.
Besides this, several nations are upgrading their existing transport aircraft with newer generation technologies and features, which, in turn, is propelling the market growth. Other factors, including the implementation of various government initiatives focusing on expanding defense budgets and extensive research and development (R&D) activities, are supporting the market growth.
Military transport aircraft are specially designed fixed and rotary wing cargo aircraft used to deliver troops, weapons, vehicles, and other military equipment. They support military operations by performing multi-role duties, such as aerial refueling, rescue missions, and intelligence-gathering. As military transport aircraft have a huge cargo storage space, they are also used to transport personnel and army supplies during military operations. They play a crucial role in maintaining supply lines to forward locations inaccessible by land or sea and can be employed for both strategic and tactical operations. As a result, military transport aircraft are widely used for combat operations, transportation, emergency services, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Military Transport Aircraft Market Trends:
The increasing global tension between neighboring countries and the rising inclination to enhance aerial combat and support capabilities during war or enemy attacks are among the key factors driving the market growth. In line with this, the widespread adoption of rotorcraft airplanes to perform airdrop missions, tactical airlifts, and transport litters and ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations is favoring the market growth. Apart from this, key players are introducing modern military transport aircraft that offer superior agility, higher speed, maneuverability, and a high survival rate in adverse weather conditions, which is providing an impetus to the market growth.Moreover, the integration of advanced communication systems to facilitate the transfer of real-time data of cargo to the experts at the air traffic control (ATC) is acting as another growth-inducing factor. Furthermore, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic facilitated the utilization of military transport aircraft to deliver personal protective equipment (PPE), medicines, and ventilators from foreign countries is positively influencing the market growth.
Besides this, several nations are upgrading their existing transport aircraft with newer generation technologies and features, which, in turn, is propelling the market growth. Other factors, including the implementation of various government initiatives focusing on expanding defense budgets and extensive research and development (R&D) activities, are supporting the market growth.
Key Market Segmentation:
This report provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global military transport aircraft market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on aircraft type, payload and application.Breakup by Aircraft Type:
- Fixed Wings
- Rotorcraft
Breakup by Payload:
- Below 50 Tons
- 51 Tons to 100 Tons
- 101 Tons and Above
Breakup by Application:
- Troop Airlifting
- Cargo Supply
- Others
Breakup by Region:
- North America
- United States
- Canada
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- South Korea
- Australia
- Indonesia
- Others
- Europe
- Germany
- France
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- Spain
- Russia
- Others
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Others
- Middle East and Africa
Competitive Landscape:
The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Airbus SE, Aviation Industry Corporation of China Ltd., Embraer S.A., Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Leonardo S.p.A., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Textron Inc. and The Boeing Company.Key Questions Answered in This Report:
- What was the size of the global military transport aircraft market in 2024?
- What is the expected growth rate of the global military transport aircraft market during 2025-2033?
- What are the key factors driving the global military transport aircraft market?
- What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global military transport aircraft market?
- What is the breakup of the global military transport aircraft market based on the aircraft type?
- What is the breakup of the global military transport aircraft market based on the payload?
- What is the breakup of the global military transport aircraft market based on the application?
- What are the key regions in the global military transport aircraft market?
- Who are the key players/companies in the global military transport aircraft market?
Table of Contents
1 Preface3 Executive Summary11 Value Chain Analysis13 Price Analysis
2 Scope and Methodology
4 Introduction
5 Global Military Transport Aircraft Market
6 Market Breakup by Aircraft Type
7 Market Breakup by Payload
8 Market Breakup by Application
9 Market Breakup by Region
10 SWOT Analysis
12 Porters Five Forces Analysis
14 Competitive Landscape
List of Figures
List of Tables
Companies Mentioned
- Airbus SE
- Aviation Industry Corporation of China Ltd.
- Embraer S.A.
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
- Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.
- Leonardo S.p.A.
- Lockheed Martin Corporation
- Textron Inc.
- The Boeing Company
Methodology
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Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 149 |
| Published | April 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2024 - 2033 |
| Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 34.1 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 42.6 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 2.5% |
| Regions Covered | Global |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 9 |
