Body Armor Plates Market Report 2026

The body armor plates market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.12 billion in 2025 to $2.25 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased defense and military spending, rising need for law enforcement protection, growing incidence of armed conflicts, adoption of steel and aramid armor solutions, advancements in ballistic protection standards.

The body armor plates market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.86 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising geopolitical tensions, growing demand for uhmwpe and ceramic armor plates, increasing procurement by homeland security agencies, technological advancements in composite materials, expansion of civilian self-protection markets. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for lightweight armor plates, increasing adoption of composite and ceramic materials, growing focus on multi-threat and multi-strike protection, advancements in ergonomic and multi-curve plate designs, expansion of civilian and private security usage.

The rising crime rates are expected to fuel the growth of the body armor plates market in the coming years. Crime rates refer to the statistical measures that quantify the frequency and prevalence of criminal activities within a specific geographic area, typically expressed as the number of reported crimes per population over a defined period, often annually. The growing incidence of firearm-related crimes and violence in certain regions is driving the demand for body armor plates among civilians and law enforcement agencies to enhance personal safety. For example, in August 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), a U.S.-based federal agency, reported that in 2024, a violent crime occurred, on average, every 25.9 seconds. The breakdown further showed that, on average, a murder occurred every 31.1 minutes, and a rape every 4.1 minutes. As a result, the increasing crime rates are contributing to the growth of the body armor plates market.

Major companies in the body armor plates market are focusing on developing technological innovations, such as thinner Level 3 armor ballistic plates, to gain a competitive edge. A thinner Level 3 armor ballistic plate refers to a type of body armor designed to meet the Level III ballistic protection standards set by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). For example, in January 2023, TenCate Advanced Armor USA, Inc., a U.S.-based aerospace and defense company, introduced the 'Cratus Wave' body armor plates. This new product integrates proprietary Trauma Reduction Technology, which enables thinner plates to offer enhanced protection against rifle ammunition. The technology works by redistributing the pressure waves between the hard body armor plates and the user, improving overall effectiveness while maintaining a lighter, more comfortable design.

In May 2023, GPC Investments Inc., a U.S.-based investment firm focusing on middle-market companies, acquired Body Armor Outlet for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, GPC Investments seeks to expand its defense and protective equipment portfolio by integrating Body Armor Outlet’s tactical protection products and increasing its customer base across law enforcement, military, and civilian markets. Body Armor Outlet LLC is a U.S.-based company that offers body armor, tactical protective gear, and related safety equipment for security, military, and civilian applications.

Major companies operating in the body armor plates market report are Armored Republic LLC, BAE Systems, Ceradyne Inc., Craig International Ballistics Pty Ltd, Helweg International, Kejo Limited Company, Pacific Safety Products, Safariland LLC, Point Blank Enterprises Inc, Ace Link Armor, Adept Armor, Canadian Armour Ltd., EnGarde Body Armor, Safevest LLC, Automotive Armor Manufacturing, Aegis Engineering Ltd, Ballistic Body Armour Pty., TenCate Advanced Armor, Tough Hook, Infidel Body Armor, Spartan Armor Systems, Chase Tactical, Tactical Scorpion Gear.

North America was the largest region in the body global body armor plates market in 2025.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the body armor plates market are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the body armor plates market are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The body armor plates market consists of sales of materials such as body armor vests, soft armor plates, hard armor plates, concealed vests, full-body tactical armor, and related products. 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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