Market Insights
The riot control system market was estimated at US$ 11.7 Billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% during 2022-2028 to reach US$ ~15.9 Billion in 2028.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic hurt the economies of several nations, with a GDP fall of more than 3%, it did not affect the sales of riot control equipment in 2020. On the other hand, the area had many protests against the enactment of lockdowns and coronavirus restrictions, which led to the use of riot-control tools by law authorities to disperse the masses. Additionally, the Black Lives Matter Movement, a social uprising in the US against the overuse of force by the police, culminated in several marches and meetings that became violent, sometimes resulting in significant property damage.
To successfully manage the crisis and avoid more loss of life or damage, authorities have restocked their riot control equipment, contributing to market development. During the projection period, developing sophisticated less-lethal weapons such as pepper sprays, dropping low-velocity bullets, and other less-lethal weapons may aid market expansion.
For several reasons, the riot control system market is dynamic and has high potential. The global economy's shifting geopolitical dynamics and an increase in violent crime, armed conflict, and terrorism, among other factors, are to blame for this. This demand increase results from numerous civil instability and conflict situations in these areas, including the Syrian civil war, sectarian strife in Lebanon, and political violence in Jerusalem. Military troops and law enforcement organizations must respond to such situations more quickly. As a result, it is anticipated that law enforcement organizations will purchase more riot control equipment in the upcoming years.
Assistive devices and non-lethal weaponry are part of the riot control equipment that police officers utilize when a mob is out of control. The main element fueling the market's expansion is the rising hostility toward local governments in many nations. This hostility is resulting in more riots and violent incidents. The riot-controlling tools, however, have yet to receive the requisite safety rating. Developers are working hard to improve less-lethal weapons, including rubber bullets, pepper spray, low-velocity ammunition, and other less-lethal weapons, as well as vehicles for surveillance and assaulting reasons. This is the main driving force behind the expansion of the riot control equipment industry.
However, it is predicted that during the forecast period, the expansion of the riot control equipment market in the area would be constrained by the policy changes made by the governments and regulatory organizations that resulted in a restriction on the use of many forms of less-lethal offensive equipment.
Several investments/guidelines in the industry have been directed in recent years, which would boost the overall Market. Some of them are:
- Combined Systems Inc., TASER Self-Defense (Axon Enterprise Inc.), Safariland LLC, AARDVARK, and Lamperd Less Lethal Inc. are the leading companies in the North American riot control equipment industry. Businesses are attempting to improve their distribution network through strategic alliances and partnerships.
- Market players are funding the R&D of new technologies to be included in their future product portfolios. The innovative virtual sizing technology known as XpertFit, which offers a contactless self-measuring method of taking body measurements with a mobile phone, which the officers can use when ordering body armor and safety uniforms, was jointly introduced in December 2020 by Safariland and Flying Cross. During the projected period, players would be expected to increase due to the emphasis on the R&D of such technologies.
Segment Analysis
The market is segmented into offensive and defensive weapons based on the product type. Offensive weapons are further segmented into direct contact weapons and directed energy weapons.
Based on technology, the market is segmented into Electromagnetic & Sonic Weapons, Kinetic Impact Weapons, Chemical Agents, and Others.
Based on end users, the market is segmented into law enforcement agencies and the military. Law enforcement agencies are further segmented into police forces, special forces, first responders, private security, and intelligence agency.
In terms of regions, North America is likely to maintain its supremacy in the riot control system market throughout the forecast period. Due to the frequent and extensive riots in North America, the US is one of the countries that use riot control equipment the most. In the shape of the racial unrest associated with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, the year 2020 saw one of the biggest social revolutions in the nation's history. As a result, government organizations have increased their supplies of crowd-control tools, including tear gas and bullets with sponge tips, among others. The January 2021 capital riots also resulted in a significant deployment of law police and military troops, who utilized riot control tools to manage the mob.
Additionally, the nation is working on several R&D initiatives to create improved non-lethal weaponry and other riot control tools. Examples include the decades-long testing of everything from long-range wireless taser bullets to sonic guns that can shut down a car engine from 150 feet away by the Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office (JIFCO), formerly the Joint Nonlethal Weapons Directorate, and several private arms companies. Research and development are now being done on several less-lethal weapon systems, including the variable kinetic system, carbon nanotube thermophones, pre-placed electric vehicle stoppers, and laser-induced plasma effect blasters.
Concurrently, the riot control system market in the Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Since several nations in the region, including India, China, Australia, South Korea, and Australia, are now concentrating on producing less lethal weapons for military and law enforcement applications, such as border control, riot control, and de-escalating one-on-one conflicts, the Asia-Pacific market is predicted to grow at the highest growth rate.
Key Players
There is stiff competition in the riot control system market. The growth of the companies is directly dependent on the industry conditions and government support. These companies differentiate their riot control system based on their quality and penetration in the target and emerging markets. Also, some major mergers and acquisitions in the industry recently have significantly influenced the competitive dynamics. For example:
- The SHIFT 360 Scalable Plate Rack System and the FAV are two new, highly adaptable armor systems introduced in February 2021 by Safariland, a trademark of The Safariland Group (Fast Attack Vest). According to the corporation, the new armor systems provide end customers additional versatility.
- In February 2021, to promote riot control and other security solutions in the US, Lamperd Less Lethal Inc. established a new distribution arrangement with Valentis in February 2021.
The overall competitive landscape has been affected due to these mergers and acquisitions. The following are the major players in the riot control system market:
- Armament Systems & Procedures Inc.
- Dae-Kwang Chemical Co. Ltd.
- Lamperd Less Lethal Inc.
- The Safariland Group
- Amtec Less Lethal Systems Inc
- Eagle Industries, Inc.
- Taser International, Inc.
- Loadad Corporation
- Raytheon Company
- Combined Systems, Inc.
- Nonlethal Technologies, Inc.
- Condor Non-Lethal Technologies
- BAE Systems, PLC.
Research Methodology
This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools. More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact book, press release, journals, investor presentation, white papers, patents, and articles have been leveraged to gather the data. We conducted more than 10 detailed primary interviews with the market players across the value chain in all four regions and with industry experts to obtain both the qualitative and quantitative insights.
Report Features
This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:
- Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis
- Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis
- Market trend and forecast analysis
- Market segment trend and forecast
- Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc.
- Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities
- Emerging trends
- Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players
- Key success factors
