Search and Rescue Helicopter Market Report 2026

The search and rescue helicopter market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.5 billion in 2025 to $2.67 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing need for dedicated aerial platforms to support emergency response and disaster relief missions, growth in deployment of helicopters for maritime search and rescue operations, advancements in airframe and fuselage design improving mission endurance and safety, rising government investment in rescue aviation capabilities, expansion of search and rescue missions in remote and hard-to-access regions.

The search and rescue helicopter market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.4 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for technologically advanced helicopters equipped with enhanced sensors and avionics for rescue missions, rising adoption of lightweight and durable airframe materials to improve operational efficiency, increasing investment in expanding national search and rescue fleets due to climate-driven natural disasters, development of hybrid and fuel-efficient propulsion systems enhancing helicopter endurance, expanding integration of unmanned assistance systems to support manned search and rescue helicopter operations. Major trends in the forecast period include rising integration of specialized rescue equipment for high-altitude operations, increasing demand for helicopters capable of all-weather sar operations, growing adoption of lightweight composite materials in sar helicopter manufacturing, expansion of multi-mission helicopters supporting disaster relief and emergency evacuation, enhanced cabin modularity to support medical evacuation and rapid response operations.

The growing demand for advanced search and rescue helicopters among various countries is expected to support the expansion of the search and rescue helicopter market in the coming years. Advanced search and rescue helicopters are specialized rotary-wing aircraft equipped with modern navigation, communication, and rescue technologies that enable them to locate, assist, and evacuate individuals in emergencies and challenging environments. The increasing deployment of these advanced helicopters is driven by nations seeking faster, more reliable, and versatile aerial solutions to save lives, respond to crises, and operate effectively across diverse conditions. Search and rescue helicopters are widely used around the world in rescue missions, fulfilling the need for rapid and secure transportation for military, law enforcement, public safety, and other rescue operations. For example, in June 2025, the UK Department of Transportation reported that during the year ending March 2025, SAR helicopters in the UK rescued 1,342 people and assisted 264 others. Compared to the year ending March 2024, this reflects a 66% increase in people assisted and a 6% decrease in people rescued. Additionally, there were 2,849 civilian SAR helicopter taskings during this period, a 4% rise from the previous year. Therefore, the increasing demand for advanced search and rescue helicopters worldwide is driving the growth of the search and rescue helicopter market.

Companies in the search and rescue helicopter market are adopting strategic partnerships to enhance the features and competitive capabilities of next-generation aircraft such as the AW09 single-engine helicopter. Strategic partnerships involve companies combining their strengths and resources to achieve mutual benefits and shared goals. For instance, in January 2023, Leonardo S.p.A., an Italy-based aerospace and defense company, announced a partnership with Safran S.A. for the propulsion system of the AW09 single-engine helicopter. The production aircraft will be powered by the Arriel 2K engine, the latest version in the Arriel engine family. The selection of this new engine ensures a high degree of industrial efficiency, global supply, and strong customer support. Through their combined support network, Leonardo and Safran Helicopter Engines will offer innovative, simplified, and competitive maintenance solutions and operational costs, backed by personalized service plans, Support-by-the-Hour contracts, and a wide range of digital services. Safran S.A. is a France-based manufacturer of aircraft components and equipment.

In March 2025, Milestone Aviation Group Limited, an Ireland-based aviation company, partnered with Offshore Helicopter Services UK Limited (OHS) to expand OHS’s helicopter fleet. The partnership aims to enhance OHS’s offshore oil and gas operations as well as its search and rescue missions in the United Kingdom by providing modern, fuel-efficient helicopters and strengthening long-term strategic collaboration. Offshore Helicopter Services UK Limited (OHS) is a UK-based aviation provider specializing in offshore transportation and emergency response services for the energy sector.

Major companies operating in the search and rescue helicopter market are Airbus S.A.S., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Leonardo S.p.A., Bell Textron Inc., Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation, Korea Aerospace Industries, McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems, Robinson Helicopter Company, Russian Helicopters JSC, Sikorsky Aircraft, Marenco Swiss Helicopter, Elbit Systems Ltd., Kaman Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Babcock International, CHC Helicopter Group, Bristow Helicopters Ltd., Air Methods Corporation, Metro Aviation.

North America was the largest region in the search and rescue helicopter market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the search and rescue helicopter market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the search and rescue helicopter market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on aviation components and aerospace-grade materials have increased manufacturing costs for search and rescue helicopters by disrupting global supply chains and raising import prices for engines, avionics, and structural assemblies. Light, medium, and heavy helicopter segments are particularly affected, with regions relying heavily on imported technology such as Europe and Asia-Pacific experiencing longer production timelines. While tariffs pose challenges for commercial and civil end-users, they have encouraged localized manufacturing and domestic sourcing, creating limited opportunities for regional industry expansion and supply-chain resilience.

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Search and rescue helicopters are helicopters equipped to conduct search and rescue operations, undertake life-saving missions, and contribute to disaster relief efforts in challenging and inaccessible areas.

The primary types of search and rescue helicopters include light, medium, and heavy-sized models. Light search and rescue helicopters are those with a maximum gross weight of less than 12,000 pounds and are specifically designed for life-saving missions. Key components of search and rescue helicopters encompass aerostructures, engines, avionics, rescue equipment, electrical systems, and other essential elements. The technologies integrated into these helicopters include night vision devices, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras, wireless communication systems, multifunction displays, and advanced direction-finding capabilities. Search and rescue helicopters find applications in various end-uses, including commercial and civil applications as well as military applications.

The countries covered in the search and rescue helicopter market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The search and rescue helicopter market consists of sales of airframe, fuselage, and landing gear. 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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