Military Simulation and Virtual Training Market Report 2025

The military simulation and virtual training market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $12.18 billion in 2024 to $13.07 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to military modernization efforts, emergence of virtual reality, cyber warfare training development, scenario-based training adoption, and use of artificial intelligence.

The military simulation and virtual training market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $17.08 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to defense budgets and expenditure, modernization initiatives, geopolitical tensions, focus on realism and immersion, cyber warfare preparedness. Major trends in the forecast period include personalized learning, advancements in simulation technology, defense budget allocations, remote and distributed training, interoperability and integration.

An increase in territorial conflicts is anticipated to drive the military simulation and virtual training market in the future. Territorial conflicts involve disputes over control of specific areas, necessitating military training to safeguard national security. Military simulation and virtual training are integral to various military equipment training programs, as they conserve time and effort while minimizing technical wear on weapons and equipment. For instance, in December 2023, the Armed Conflict Survey 2023 released by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a UK-based research institute, reported that the intensity of global conflicts has escalated annually from May 2022 to June 2023, with fatalities rising by 14% and the number of incidents increasing by 28%. Consequently, the rise in territorial conflicts is fueling growth in the military simulation market.

The escalating expenditures within the military sector are expected to significantly propel the market for military simulation and virtual training. Military spending, vital for maintaining armed forces and defense-related essentials, plays a pivotal role in advancing these training technologies. Such investments bolster armed forces' readiness, operational capabilities, and training cost-efficiency. A report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute in April 2023 indicated North American military spending at $904 billion in 2022, with Canada allocating $26.9 billion, a 3% increase from the previous year. This financial dedication underscores the driving force behind the growth of military simulation and virtual training.

Innovative platforms are emerging as a key trend gaining traction in the military simulation and virtual training market. Major players in this sector are enhancing their systems through new upgrades. For instance, in July 2024, PLEXSYS Interface Products, Inc., a US-based company specializing in simulation and training solutions, launched Sonomarc 4.11, which introduces significant enhancements aimed at improving simulation and training experiences. Notable features include Dynamic Weather, offering real-time weather updates that impact RF propagation, and Virtual People Integration, which enables voice recognition and responses over the radio. The virtual person can follow commands, engage with ASCOT 5/7, and respond to radio calls. Users have the flexibility to configure voice settings and customize commands. The system integrates smoothly with ASCOT 7 via the Sonomarc REST API, facilitating dynamic voice control configurations without the need for software modifications.

Major companies in the military simulation and virtual training market are introducing technologically advanced systems, including Metaverse-based military training platforms, to transform professional military training. A Metaverse-based military training system is a sophisticated platform that employs Metaverse technology to create immersive and realistic training environments for military personnel. For example, in November 2023, Lockheed Martin Corporation, a US-based defense and aerospace manufacturer, unveiled several military training solutions leveraging advanced Metaverse technologies to develop immersive 3D environments for realistic scenario training. One of the standout products is the Amorphic Appearance Zero-Projector (AMAZE), a visual display system designed to enhance high-fidelity training while reducing maintenance requirements. Additionally, Lockheed introduced its flagship simulation software, Prepar3D, which is tailored for multi-domain training and features a comprehensive vehicle library that includes F-16 jets, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, and deep-sea submarines, thereby supporting mixed-reality training experiences.

In March 2022, BAE Systems completed the acquisition of Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim) for $200 million, reinforcing its integration strategy and expanding BAE Systems’ modeling and simulation capabilities. This strategic move positions BAE Systems to meet evolving customer needs in the growing market for military training, delivering next-generation virtual systems. BISim, a US-based software company specializing in simulation training solutions, brings forth enhanced capabilities and market positioning within the evolving landscape of military simulation and virtual training.

Major companies operating in the military simulation and virtual training market are Northrop Grumman Corporation, Cubic Corporation, CAE Inc., RTX Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, BAE Systems PLC, The Boeing Company, Saab AB, Thales Group, Rheinmetall AG, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Elbit Systems Ltd., AAI Corporation, Barco NV, Fidelity Technologies Corporation, Meggitt Training Systems, Simthetiq Inc., Bohemia Interactive Simulations, Presagis Inc., Epic Games Inc., DiSTI Corporation, MAK Technologies Inc., Antycip Simulation Limited, SimCentric Technologies, QuantaDyn Corporation, ThoroughTec Simulation (Pty) Ltd., Leonardo S.p.A.

North America was the largest region in the military simulation and virtual training market in 2024. The regions covered in the military simulation and virtual training market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the military simulation and virtual training market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Military simulation and virtual training encompass the utilization of simulation technology to replicate the use of weaponry and equipment, commonly employed in diverse military training programs. This method significantly saves time and resources, reducing technical wear on weaponry and equipment while providing an immersive training experience for armed units or individuals.

The realm of military simulation and virtual training, several platform types prevail, including flight, vehicle, battlefield, and virtual boot camp simulations. Flight simulations replicate airborne travel through the use of simulation technology, mimicking the operation of aircraft. These training methodologies encompass gaming solutions and virtual, constructive, and live training scenarios, catering to various end-users such as the air force, army, navy, and medical personnel.

The military simulation and virtual training market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides military simulation and virtual training market statistics, including military simulation and virtual training industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a military simulation and virtual training market share, detailed military simulation and virtual training market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the military simulation and virtual training industry. This military simulation and virtual training market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The military simulation and virtual training market include revenues earned by entities by providing simulation training services such as equipment skill simulation training, campaign tactics simulation training, and strategy simulation training. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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