Non-Lethal Weapons Market Report 2025

The non-lethal weapons market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $8.22 billion in 2024 to $8.93 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to law enforcement adoption, conflict zone application, research and development, shift in public perception.

The non-lethal weapons market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $12.16 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to investments in R&D, rising security concerns, military modernization strategies, public opinion and activism, stricter regulations on lethal force. Major trends in the forecast period include rising civil unrest, law enforcement modernization, humanitarian and conflict zones, public awareness and advocacy, military adoption of non-lethal solutions.

The growth of the non-lethal weapons (NLW) market is being fueled by an escalation in political disputes and civil unrest. Civil unrest, characterized by multiple individuals gathering with the intent of causing public disturbances, encompasses activities such as riots, armed insurrections, violent protests, and looting. The global surge in political disputes and civil unrest has led to an increased demand for protective systems such as non-lethal weapons. As of June 2023, reports from ReliefWeb indicate a rise in non-state conflicts from 76 in 2021 to 82 in 2022. Regions such as Africa and the Americas have experienced heightened non-state conflicts, attributed to factors such as increased lockdowns, COVID-19 restrictions, and economic tensions. Consequently, the upswing in political disputes and civil unrest is a significant contributor to the expansion of the non-lethal weapons (NLW) market.

Anticipated growth in defense expenditure is set to drive the expansion of the non-lethal weapons market in the foreseeable future. Defense expenditure, also known as military expenditure, encompasses the financial resources a country allocates for the maintenance, development, and operation of its security forces and defense infrastructure. The funds allocated for defense, including those from government grants, can be directed toward various non-lethal weapons-related activities. In April 2023, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reported a substantial increase in global defense expenditure to $2.24 trillion in 2022, marking a significant rise of 3.7%. This surge in defense spending is a driving force behind the growth of the non-lethal weapons market.

Leading companies in the non-lethal weapons market are focusing on the development of non-lethal low energy cartridge (LEC) systems to improve operational effectiveness and minimize the risk of fatalities during crowd control and law enforcement scenarios. The non-lethal LEC system is a type of ammunition designed to incapacitate targets without inflicting permanent injury or death. These cartridges are typically used in firearms specifically designed or modified to fire non-lethal projectiles. For example, in January 2022, KWESST Micro Systems Inc., a Canada-based company, introduced the PARA OPS non-lethal low energy cartridge system. This LEC system features a unique cartridge that operates without gunpowder, compressed air, or CO2. It utilizes a polymer projectile and a self-stabilizing configuration, which ensures accuracy while maintaining low energy levels. The cartridges are engineered to launch projectiles at velocities and energy levels well below lethal thresholds, approximately 17 joules, making them suitable for situations requiring non-lethal force.

Major companies in the non-lethal weapons market are pursuing strategic partnerships to equip commercial and private vehicles with mobile pepper spray deployment systems. Strategic partnerships involve companies leveraging each other's strengths and resources for mutual benefits. In November 2022, Mace Security International, Inc., a US-based non-lethal weapons manufacturing company, announced a partnership with F3 Defense. The collaboration involves the sale of two innovative systems, the Mace Brand F3 Defense Passenger Protection System and the Mace Brand F3 Defense Vehicle Protection System. The Truck Stop Commercial Vehicle Protection System, designed for trucks and vehicles, utilizes Mace's MAG 9 12 oz. pepper spray. F3 Defense specializes in manufacturing mobile pepper spray deployment systems.

In October 2023, Day & Zimmermann LLC, a U.S.-based company, acquired Combined Systems Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enables Day & Zimmermann to expand its portfolio by integrating Combined Systems' expertise in non-lethal weapons. Combined Systems Inc. is also a U.S.-based company that specializes in providing non-lethal weapons.

Major companies operating in the non-lethal weapons market include Armament Systems & Procedures Inc., Amtec Less-Lethal Systems Inc., Lamperd Less Lethal Inc., Combined Systems Inc., FN Herstal S.A., ALS Less-Lethal Systems Inc., Axon Enterprise Inc., Condor Non-Lethal Technologies, ISPRA by Ei Ltd., Nonlethal Technologies Inc., Pepperball Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Rheinmentall AG, Safariland LLC, United Tactical Systems LLC, Zarc International Inc., BAE Systems Inc., Bruzer Less Lethal, Byrna Technologies Inc., Genasys Inc., Mace Security International Inc., Mission Less Lethal Technologies, PACEM Solutions International, First Defense Technologies, RTX Corporation, RUAG Group, SABRE Red Inc.

North America was the largest region in the non-lethal weapons market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the non-lethal weapons market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the non-lethal weapons market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the non-lethal weapons market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Non-lethal weapons (NLW) are explicitly designed tools, devices, and munitions primarily intended for promptly incapacitating targeted personnel or material, all while minimizing casualties, damage to the environment or property, and harm to individuals. They serve as a less harmful alternative to traditional weapons or in situations where a certain degree of force is necessary.

The principal types of non-lethal weapons encompass gases and sprays, grenades, bullets, tasers, and others. A 'spray' refers to a mobile collection of drips dispersed throughout a gas. The carrier gas used to deliver the powder consumable is typically an inert gas such as argon or nitrogen. Technologies involved include chemicals, electroshock, mechanical and kinetic forces, acoustics, light, and others. End users of these weapons include law enforcement agencies, military forces, and civilians.

The non-lethal weapons market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides non-lethal weapons market statistics, including global market size, regional shares, competitors with a non-lethal weapons market share, detailed non-lethal weapons market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the non-lethal weapons industry. This non-lethal weapons 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 non-lethal weapons market consists of sales of pepper spray, tear gas, electric-shock weapons, rubber and plastic bullets, water cannon, and acoustic weapons. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

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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