https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/military-wearable-market-103544
Military Wearables Market Share, Trends,
and Insights, 2023–2030
According to Fortune Business Insights™, the global military wearables market size was
valued at USD 7.83 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 8.09 billion in
2023 to USD 10.18 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.25% during the forecast period
(2023–2030). The market is driven by the increasing demand for wearable electronic devices
and equipment that enhance the operational efficiency, situational awareness, and safety of
military personnel.
Military wearables include smartwatches, biometric monitoring systems, smart clothing,
heads-up displays, smart eyewear, and exoskeletons, which are embedded into uniforms or
worn by soldiers to support communication, health tracking, threat detection, and combat
performance.
Key Companies Covered in the Military Wearables Market Report:
Aselsan A.S. (Turkey)
Elbit Systems Ltd. (Israel)
General Dynamics Corporation (U.S.)
Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.)
L3Harris Technologies Inc. (U.S.)
Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy)
Lockheed Martin Corporation (U.S.)
Microsoft Corporation (U.S.)
Safariland LLC (U.S.)
TE Connectivity Ltd. (Switzerland)
Thales Group (France)
https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/military-wearable-market-103544
Source:
https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/military-wearable-market-103544
Segmentation:
By Wearable Type:
The military wearables market is categorized into headwear, eyewear, wristwear, hearables,
and bodywear. Among these, the bodywear segment held the largest market share during the
forecast period. This dominance is attributed to the increasing adoption of advanced
technologies in bodywear that enhance durability, mobility, and comfort, providing tactical
advantages to soldiers in extreme environments. Leading companies are actively investing in
research and development to engineer bodywear solutions that meet the rigorous demands of
military operations. Meanwhile, the headwear segment is expected to be the fastest-
growing due to rising demand for wearable systems integrated with technologies such
as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Advancements such as built-in cameras,
displays, and enhanced low-light capabilities are driving the rapid growth of this segment.
By Technology:
In terms of technology, the market is segmented into smart textiles, network and connectivity
management, exoskeleton, vision and surveillance, communication and computing,
monitoring, power and energy source, and navigation. Among these, the communication and
computing segment emerged as the largest, owing to the increasing integration of
communication systems in wearable devices. These technologies allow soldiers to stay
connected, share information securely, and access critical data in real time on the battlefield,
thereby improving operational efficiency, situational awareness, and overall mission success.
By End User:
Based on end user, the market is classified into land forces, naval forces, and air forces.
The land forces segment dominated the market share in 2021 and is expected to maintain its
lead over the forecast period. This is primarily driven by the increasing adoption of next-
generation wearables such as lightweight body armor, smart helmets, and eyewear for ground
troops. Land-based military operations often involve high-risk environments, necessitating
reliable and advanced protective gear. For instance, in October 2020, the U.S. Army awarded
Elbit Systems a contract to supply Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular Systems,
while also equipping the Armed Forces of the Netherlands with advanced soldier systems.
These developments are reinforcing the demand for innovative wearable technologies among
land forces globally.
Latest Trends
A key trend in the market is the development and adoption of advanced wearable
technologies such as smart clothing with biometric sensors, printed heaters for extreme
weather, and AR/VR-enabled helmets. These innovations aim to enhance soldier
survivability, mobility, and health monitoring. Biometric sensors, in particular, allow for real-
time performance tracking and remote health diagnostics in combat zones.
Market Drivers
Adoption of Advanced Wearable Technology: Military forces are increasingly
adopting cutting-edge wearable devices that reduce load while improving
functionality. Integrated sensors, AR headsets, and cloud-connected monitoring
systems enable superior battlefield communication and performance analytics.
Embedding More Capabilities: Modern military wearables offer multi-functionality,
replacing traditional gear with lighter, SWaP-optimized solutions. This evolution
supports real-time tracking, thermal regulation, situational data processing, and
voice/data connectivity in the field.
Restraints
Despite strong demand, market growth is challenged by the high cost of wearable
technologies and the preference for conventional military equipment in emerging economies.
Countries with limited defense budgets, such as Sudan, the Philippines, and parts of Africa,
often choose traditional gear over high-tech solutions, restricting global market penetration.
Regional Insights
Asia Pacific dominated the global military wearables market in 2022 due to high
defense personnel numbers in China and India, along with increasing defense
modernization efforts.
North America is expected to grow moderately owing to the U.S.’s large defense
budget and high adoption of next-generation gear.
Europe is projected to be the fastest-growing region, driven by rising investments in
soldier protection technologies across France, Germany, the U.K., and Russia.
The Middle East is rapidly advancing wearable adoption through programs like the
Future Soldier initiative in Iran, Israel, and UAE.
Latin America and Africa are witnessing moderate growth as nations invest in
armor and wearable modernization despite financial constraints.
Key Industry Development
October 2022 – L3Harris Technologies introduced the Iridium Distributed Tactical
Communications System (DTCS), a new solution designed to enhance battlefield
communications. The system enables secure push-to-talk voice and data sharing capabilities
for military personnel across the globe. By integrating with the L3Harris AN/PRC-163 multi-
channel handheld tactical radio, the DTCS mission module connects directly to the U.S.
Space Force’s DTCS network, eliminating the need for a separate Iridium satellite radio. This
innovation streamlines soldier communication equipment while maintaining robust, secure
connectivity in combat environments.