Combat Aircraft - Market and Technology Forecast to 2033

The Combat Aircraft market is a dynamic and politically sensitive sector, deeply influenced by geopolitical factors. The availability of exports is often dictated by the political and strategic priorities of supplier nations, making the procurement and development of Combat Aircraft a complex process for all stakeholders.

Even nations investing in indigenous development programs face significant challenges, as they remain reliant on foreign suppliers for critical components and systems. This interdependence highlights the strategic importance of supplier nations and the necessity for countries to carefully align their geopolitical strategies when acquiring or developing Combat Aircraft.

While 6th generation Combat Aircraft programs such as NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance), NGF (Next Generation Fighter), GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme), and KAAN hold promise, they are years from dominating the market. In the meantime, upgraded 4th and 4.5 generation aircraft are leading the sector, offering enhanced capabilities through advancements in radars, electronic warfare systems, and avionics. These upgrades significantly extend their service life, while transitioning to 5th generation capabilities - such as stealth - requires costly and transformative redesigns in structure and engine technology.

The Combat Aircraft market is positioned for significant growth, driven by the need to replace and expand existing fleets. New market entrants, spurred by geopolitical considerations, are capitalizing on these opportunities. However, their dependence on internationally sourced critical components - such as radars, engines, and avionics-ensures sustained demand and robust prospects for technology suppliers.

The Combat Aircraft market has a total market volume over the 2024-2033 period of over 773 US$ billion and a annual compound growth of 8.8%.

Covered in this study

Overview: Snapshot of Combat Aircraft technology in the market during 2024-2033, including highlights of the demand drivers, trends, and challenges. It also provides a snapshot of the spending with respect to regions as well as segments and sheds light on the emergence of new technologies.
Market Dynamics: Insights into the technological developments in the Combat Aircraft market and a detailed analysis of the changing preferences of governments around the world. It also analyses changing industry structure trends and the challenges faced by the industry participants.
Segment Analysis: Insights into the various segments of the market and a detailed analysis of factors influencing the market for each segment.
Regional Review & Analysis: Insights into modernization patterns and budgetary allocation for top countries within a region.
Key Program Analysis: Details of the top programs in each segment expected to be executed during the forecast period.
Growth Analysis: Analysis on how certain events will impact the Combat Aircraft market. This will give you an indication on which factors are important for the forecast.
Competitive landscape Analysis: Analysis of competitive landscape of this industry. It provides an overview of key companies, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives, and a SWOT analysis.

Segmentation

The market is segmented by Region, Type, and Fitment.

Region

North America
Europe
Asia Pacific
Middle East & Africa
Latin America

Type

Fighter
Bomber
Attack
F/A

Fitment

New
Upgrade
Development

Reasons to buy

Gain In-Depth Understanding of advanced Combat Aircraft technologies, including 6th generation programs (e.g., NGAD, NGF, GCAP) and transformative upgrades to 4th and 4.5 generation platforms, to stay ahead in this evolving market.
Explore Market Dynamics by identifying key drivers, trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the global Combat Aircraft sector, enabling you to navigate its complexities with confidence.
Understand Geopolitical Influences on the market, including export restrictions, Third-Party Transfer (TPT) clauses, and the rise of non-traditional producers, to better strategise procurement and partnerships.
Evaluate Competitive Strategies of established manufacturers and emerging market entrants, gaining insights into their product offerings, market positions, and innovation priorities.
Analyse Critical Risks and Opportunities such as reliance on international suppliers for key components, the impact of modernization efforts, and the potential for growth in supplier markets.
Leverage Detailed Forecasts and segmentation analyses to inform investment strategies, technology development, and business expansion in the Combat Aircraft sector.
Explore Adjacent Opportunities driven by dual-use technologies and developments in electronic warfare, radar systems, and stealth capabilities, broadening potential applications across defense and aerospace markets.

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Trends, Insights, and conclusions
1.2 Forecast summary

2 Introduction

2.1 Scope
2.2 Definitions and Assumptions
2.3 Market Segmentation
2.4 Methodology
2.5 Who will benefit from this study?

3 Technologies and Developments

3.1 Technology overview
3.2 Generational characteristics of Fighter A/C
3.3 Stealth Technologies
3.3.1 Low Observability (Radar Cross-Section Reduction)
3.3.2 Infrared Signature Reduction
3.4 Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Capabilities
3.4.1 AI-Powered Decision Support
3.4.2 Loyal Wingman
3.4.3 Swarm Technologies
3.5 Research overview

4 Market Overview

4.1 Introduction
4.2 In-service/production Fighter Aircraft
4.2.1 F-35 Lightning II
4.2.2 F-15EX Eagle II
4.2.3 F-16V (Viper) Fighting Falcon (Block 70/72)
4.2.4 Dassault Rafale
4.2.5 Eurofighter Typhoon
4.2.6 Saab JAS 39 Gripen
4.2.7 HAL Tejas Mk1
4.2.8 Mitsubishi F-2 Multirole fighter (in service)
4.2.9 Sukhoi, MiG, Chengdu, and Shenyang
4.3 In-service/production Attack Aircraft
4.3.1 Upgrade A-10 Thunderbolt II
4.3.2 F/A-18 Super Hornet
4.3.3 FA-50 Fighting Eagle
4.4 In-service/production Bomber Aircraft
4.4.1 Overview
4.5 6th generation development programmes
4.5.1 Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD)
4.5.2 Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)
4.5.3 Future Combat Air System (FCAS)
4.5.4 Mikoyan PAK DP ("MiG-41")
4.5.5 J-XX / J-28
4.6 5th generation Fighter development programmes
4.6.1 KAAN/MMU/TF-X
4.6.2 Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)
4.7 4.5 generation Fighter development programmes
4.7.1 KAI KF-21 Boramae
4.7.2 Tejas Mk2
4.8 Market potential by generation - overview
4.9 Bomber Aircraft development programmes
4.9.1 Overview
4.9.2 Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider
4.9.3 Tupolev PAK DA
4.9.4 Xian H-20
4.10 Countries with procurement programmes - overview
4.11 Used Combat A/C procurement
4.12 Competitive landscape
4.13 Critical Raw Materials

5 Market Dynamics and Forecast Factors

5.1 Drivers
5.2 Trends
5.3 Opportunities
5.4 Challenges
5.5 Forecast notes

6 Country Analysis

6.1 Overview
6.2 United States
6.3 France
6.4 United Kingdom
6.5 Germany
6.6 Italy
6.7 Poland
6.8 Spain
6.9 Sweden
6.10 India
6.11 Israel
6.12 Japan
6.13 South Korea
6.14 Türkiye
6.15 United Arab Emirates
6.16 Saudi Arabia
6.17 Greece

7 Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region

7.1 Combat Aircraft market by Region overview
7.2 Combat Aircraft market Region by Type overview
7.2.1 North America market by Type overview
7.2.2 Europe market by Type overview
7.2.3 Asia-Pacific market by Type overview
7.2.4 Middle-East & Africa market by Type overview
7.2.5 Latin America market by Type overview
7.3 Combat Aircraft market Region by Fitment overview
7.3.1 North America market by Fitment overview
7.3.2 Europe market by Fitment overview
7.3.3 Asia-Pacific market by Fitment overview
7.3.4 Middle-East & Africa market by Fitment overview
7.3.5 Latin America market by Fitment overview

8 Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type

8.1 Combat Aircraft Market by Type overview
8.2 Combat Aircraft market Type by Region overview
8.2.1 Fighter market by Region overview
8.2.2 Bomber market by Region overview
8.2.3 Attack market by Region overview
8.2.4 F/A market by Region overview
8.3 Combat Aircraft market Type by Fitment overview
8.3.1 Fighter market by Fitment overview
8.3.2 Bomber market by Fitment overview
8.3.3 Attack market by Fitment overview
8.3.4 F/A market by Fitment overview

9 Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment

9.1 Combat Aircraft Market by Fitment overview
9.2 Combat Aircraft market Fitment by Region overview
9.2.1 Upgrade market by Region overview
9.2.2 New market by Region overview
9.2.3 Development market by Region overview
9.3 Combat Aircraft market Fitment by Type overview
9.3.1 Upgrade market by Type overview
9.3.2 New market by Type overview
9.3.3 Development market by Type overview

10 Opportunity Analysis

10.1 Introduction
10.2 Compound Growth rates
10.2.1 Region
10.2.2 Type
10.2.3 Fitment
10.3 Undefined Fighter A/C market
10.4 Inventory analysis

11 Leading Companies

11.1 Lockheed Martin
11.1.1 Introduction
11.1.2 Products & Services
11.1.3 Recent Developments
11.1.4 SWOT Analysis
11.2 Boeing
11.2.1 Introduction
11.2.2 Products & Services
11.2.3 Recent Developments
11.2.4 Recent Contracts
11.2.5 Company SWOT Analysis
11.3 BAE Systems
11.3.1 Introduction
11.3.2 Products & Services
11.3.3 Recent Developments
11.3.4 Recent Contracts
11.3.5 Company SWOT Analysis
11.4 Northrop Grumman
11.4.1 Introduction
11.4.2 Products & Services
11.4.3 Recent Developments
11.4.4 Recent Contracts
11.4.5 Company SWOT Analysis
11.5 Dassault Aviation
11.5.1 Introduction
11.5.2 Products & Services
11.5.3 Recent Developments
11.5.4 Recent Contracts
11.5.5 Company SWOT Analysis
11.6 Saab
11.6.1 Introduction
11.6.2 Products & Services
11.6.3 Recent Developments
11.6.4 Recent Contracts
11.6.5 Company SWOT Analysis
11.7 Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)
11.7.1 Introduction
11.7.2 Products & Services
11.7.3 Recent Developments
11.7.4 Recent Contracts
11.7.5 Company SWOT Analysis
11.8 Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)
11.8.1 Introduction
11.8.2 Products & Services
11.8.3 Recent Developments
11.8.4 Recent Contracts
11.8.5 Company SWOT Analysis
11.9 Mitsubishi
11.9.1 Introduction
11.9.2 Products & Services
11.9.3 Recent Developments
11.9.4 Recent Contracts
11.9.5 Company SWOT Analysis
11.10 Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
11.10.1 Introduction
11.10.2 Products & Services
11.10.3 Recent Developments
11.10.4 Recent Contracts
11.10.5 Company SWOT Analysis
11.11 Leonardo
11.11.1 Introduction
11.11.2 Products & Services
11.11.3 Recent Developments
11.11.4 Recent Contracts
11.11.5 Company SWOT Analysis
11.12 Other companies of interest
11.12.1 Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
11.12.2 Elbit Systems
11.12.3 Honeywell Aerospace Technologies
11.12.4 Raytheon
11.12.5 Collins Aerospace
11.12.6 Hensoldt
11.12.7 Thales
11.12.8 United Aircraft Corporation - UAC (Sukhoi and Mikoyan)
11.12.9 Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)

12 Results and Conclusions

13 About the Publisher

13.1 General
13.2 Contact us
13.3 Disclaimer
13.4 License

Appendix

Appendix A: Companies Mentioned
Appendix B: Abbreviations

List of Figures

Figure 1: Combat Aircraft Market summary by Region
Figure 2: Combat Aircraft Market summary by Type
Figure 3: Combat Aircraft Market summary by Fitment
Figure 4: Segmentation Combat Aircraft market
Figure 5: Market volumes over the forecast period per region
Figure 6: Global Combat Aircraft market by region [US$]
Figure 7: New vs Upgraded Combat Aircraft market (units)
Figure 8: New production Fighter and F/A Market by product
Figure 9: GCAP concept model at BAE Systems pavilion, Farnborough Int. Airshow, 2024
Figure 10: Next Generation Fighter (NGF)
Figure 11: KAI KF-21 Boramae
Figure 12: New Fighter Aircraft market by Generation
Figure 13: B-21 Raider
Figure 14: PAK-DA
Figure 15: Rendering of Xi'an H-20
Figure 16: Production countries per CRM
Figure 17: Dependence and Volume of CRMs by Supplying Countries
Figure 18: Combat Aircraft market by Fitment [US$ millions]
Figure 19: Stated and scenario sales of Combat Aircraft
Figure 20 : Production forecast Combat A/C
Figure 21: Rafale stated and potential (Base Scenario) export sales [No.]
Figure 22: Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region [US$ millions]
Figure 23: Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region %
Figure 24: North America Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 25: North America - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 26: Europe Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 27: Europe - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 28: Asia-Pacific Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 29: Asia-Pacific - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 30: Middle-East & Africa Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 31: Middle-East & Africa - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 32: Latin America Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 33: Latin America - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 34: North America Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 35: North America - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 36: Europe Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 37: Europe - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 38: Asia-Pacific Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 39: Asia-Pacific - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 40: Middle-East & Africa Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 41: Middle-East & Africa - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 42: Latin America Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 43: Latin America - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 44: Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type [US$ millions]
Figure 45: Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type %
Figure 46: Fighter Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region
Figure 47: Fighter - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region
Figure 48: Bomber Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region
Figure 49: Bomber - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region
Figure 50: Attack Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region
Figure 51: Attack - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region
Figure 52: F/A Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region
Figure 53: F/A - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region
Figure 54: Fighter Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 55: Fighter - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 56: Bomber Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 57: Bomber - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 58: Attack Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 59: Attack - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 60: F/A Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 61: F/A - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment
Figure 62: Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment [US$ millions]
Figure 63: Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment %
Figure 64: Upgrade Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region
Figure 65: Upgrade - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region
Figure 66: New Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region
Figure 67: New - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region
Figure 68: Development Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region
Figure 69: Development - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region
Figure 70: Upgrade Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 71: Upgrade - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 72: New Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 73: New - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 74: Development Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 75: Development - Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type
Figure 76: Combat Aircraft CAGR by Region in US$ millions
Figure 77: Combat Aircraft Size by Region
Figure 78: Combat Aircraft CAGR by Type in US$ millions
Figure 79: : Combat Aircraft Size by Type
Figure 80: Combat Aircraft CAGR by Fitment in US$ millions
Figure 81: Combat Aircraft Size by Fitment
Figure 82: Undefined fighter A/C market 2024-2033
Figure 83: Undefined fighter A/C market 2024-2033 by generation

List of Tables

Table 1: Combat Aircraft Market summary by Region in US$ millions
Table 2: Combat Aircraft Market summary by Type in US$ millions
Table 3: Combat Aircraft Market summary by Fitment in US$ millions
Table 4: Relevant academic research papers
Table 5: Fighter aircraft overview
Table 6: Russian and Chinese fighter aircraft summary
Table 7: In-service Bomber Aircraft
Table 8: 6th generation programmes
Table 9: Countries with Combat Aircraft procurement without indigenous production
Table 10: Countries with indigenous Combat Aircraft production and procurement
Table 11: Used combat aircraft transactions
Table 12: Leading OEM’s in the combat aircraft market
Table 13: Leading Tier 1 suppliers in the combat aircraft market
Table 14: Critical Raw Materials in Combat Aircraft
Table 15: Available vs required production of CRM’s
Table 16: market forecast by Country [US$ billion]
Table 17: Active US Combat A/C
Table 18: Stakeholders NGAD programme
Table 19: Main US companies in the Combat A/C market
Table 20: French Combat A/C inventory
Table 21: German Combat A/C inventory
Table 22: Italian Combat A/C inventory
Table 23: Polish Combat A/C inventory
Table 24: Spanish Combat A/C inventory
Table 25: Swedish Combat A/C inventory
Table 26: India’s Combat A/C inventory/plans
Table 27: Israeli Combat A/C inventory/plans
Table 28: Japanese Combat A/C inventory/plans
Table 29: Korean Combat A/C inventory/plans
Table 30:Turkish Combat A/C inventory/plans
Table 31: UAE’s Combat A/C inventory/plans
Table 32: Saudi Arabia Combat A/C inventory/plans
Table 33: Greek Combat A/C inventory/plans
Table 34: Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region [US$ millions]
Table 35: North America Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type [US$ millions]
Table 36: Europe Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type [US$ millions]
Table 37: Asia-Pacific Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type [US$ millions]
Table 38: Middle-East & Africa Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type [US$ millions]
Table 39: Latin America Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type [US$ millions]
Table 40: North America Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment [US$ millions]
Table 41: Europe Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment [US$ millions]
Table 42: Asia-Pacific Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment [US$ millions]
Table 43: Middle-East & Africa Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment [US$ millions]
Table 44: Latin America Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment [US$ millions]
Table 45: Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type [US$ millions]
Table 46: Fighter Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region [US$ millions]
Table 47: Bomber Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region [US$ millions]
Table 48: Attack Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region [US$ millions]
Table 49: F/A Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region [US$ millions]
Table 50: Fighter Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment [US$ millions]
Table 51: Bomber Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment [US$ millions]
Table 52: Attack Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment [US$ millions]
Table 53: F/A Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment [US$ millions]
Table 54: Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Fitment [US$ millions]
Table 55: Upgrade Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region [US$ millions]
Table 56: New Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region [US$ millions]
Table 57: Development Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Region [US$ millions]
Table 58: Upgrade Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type [US$ millions]
Table 59: New Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type [US$ millions]
Table 60: Development Combat Aircraft market to 2033 by Type [US$ millions]
Table 61: Inventory overview Combat Aircraft

Companies Mentioned

AERALIS
Airbus Defence and Space
Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
Babcock International
BAE Systems PLC
Bell Textron
Boeing
Collins Aerospace
Cubic Corporation
Curtiss-Wright
Dassault Aviation
Diehl Defence
Elbit Systems of America
Eurofighter
GE Aerospace
General Dynamics
GKN Aerospace
Hensoldt
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
Indra
Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA)
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
KBR
Korea Aerospace Industries - KAI
Kratos Defense & Security
Leonardo
Leonardo DRS
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Magellan Aerospace Corporation
MBDA
Meggitt PLC
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)
Northrop Grumman Corporation
QinetiQ
Raytheon (RTX)
Rheinmetall AG
Rohde & Schwarz
Rolls-Royce?Safran S.A.
Turkish Aerospace Industries
United Aircraft Corporation

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Covered in this study

Segmentation

Region

Type

Fitment

Reasons to buy

Table of Contents

Companies Mentioned

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