Defense Composites Market Analysis | 2025-2032

Attractive Opportunities

Global Demand Analysis & Sales Opportunities in Defense Composites Market

• The annual demand for defense composites was USD 811 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 851 million in 2025, up 4.5% than the value in 2024.
• During the forecast period (2025 to 2032), the defense composites market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.5%. The annual demand will reach of USD 1054 million in 2032.
• During 2025-2032, the defense composites industry is expected to generate a cumulative sales opportunity of USD 7705.00 million. 

High-Growth Market Segments:

• North America is expected to be the dominant region during the forecast period. 
• By Reinforcement type, Carbon Composites are expected to remain the dominant type in the market during the forecast period.
• By Resin type, Thermoset Composites are likely to hold the dominant position in the market during the forecast period.
• By Application type, Military Aircraft is projected to maintain its market lead across the forecast period.

Market Statistics

Have a look at the sales opportunities presented by the defense composites market in terms of growth and market forecast.

Market Dynamics

Introduction:

What are defense composites?

Defense composites refer specifically to the application of composite materials within military and defense systems, where performance, durability, and weight savings are critical. These materials are used extensively in the production of armored vehicles, aircraft, rotorcraft, UAVs, missiles, etc. By enabling lightweight yet robust structures, defense composites improve mobility, survivability, and operational efficiency on the battlefield. Additionally, they contribute to stealth technologies by minimizing radar signatures and enhancing thermal insulation properties, thereby giving armed forces a technological edge.

Market Drivers:

• The defense composites market is poised for significant growth, driven by multiple factors. Increasing defense budgets across major economies, modernization initiatives for military fleets, and rising geopolitical tensions are creating sustained demand for advanced lightweight materials. The growing adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), next-generation fighter jets, and rotorcraft requires composites that can balance structural strength with reduced weight, thereby extending range and fuel efficiency. Furthermore, the rising focus on soldier protection through body armor and helmets made from aramid and carbon fiber composites is fueling demand in the personal protection category.
• Technological advancements are also playing a crucial role in shaping the defense composites market. Innovations in resin transfer molding, additive manufacturing, and hybrid composite development are enabling faster production cycles, cost efficiency, and enhanced material performance. Additionally, sustainability considerations are driving research into recyclable and bio-based composites, which are likely to gain importance in future defense procurement strategies. As armed forces continue to seek materials that enhance survivability, mobility, and cost-effectiveness, composites are expected to remain at the forefront of defense modernization programs worldwide.

Segment Analysis

By Reinforcement Type

“Carbon composites are likely to retain the leading share among reinforcement types, with ceramic composites positioned to register the most rapid growth in the foreseeable future.”

• By reinforcement type, the defense composites market is classified into carbon composites, glass composites, aramid composites, and ceramic composites. Carbon composites are projected to remain the dominant reinforcement type due to their exceptional balance of strength, weight, and performance. These materials are nearly five times stronger and about 30% lighter than aluminum, offering superior heat tolerance and design flexibility.
• Such attributes directly enhance the operational efficiency of combat aircraft, helicopters, and missile systems by reducing drag, increasing range, and improving stealth capabilities. Modern defense programs are heavily reliant on carbon composites, with next-generation military aircraft projected to comprise over two-thirds composite materials, of which carbon composites constitute the majority. A prime example is the F-35 stealth fighter, where large sections of the wings, fuselage, and internal structures are constructed from carbon composites.

By Resin Type

“Thermoset composites are projected to command the largest market share, whereas thermoplastic composites are expected to register the highest growth rate throughout the forecast period.”

• By resin type, the defense composites market is classified into thermoset composites, thermoplastic composites, and ceramic matrix composites. Thermoset composites are anticipated to remain the dominant resin type during the forecast period, primarily due to their proven strength, durability, and rigidity in demanding defense applications. These materials are especially well-suited for structural components that experience extreme mechanical stress, including military aircraft fuselages, wings, and control surfaces, as well as armored vehicle panels and ballistic protection systems.
• A significant share of carbon fiber-reinforced composites used in defense platforms is thermoset-based, particularly those using epoxy and bismaleimide (BMI) resins. For example, advanced combat aircraft such as the F-35 fighter jet, Eurofighter Typhoon, and rotary-wing platforms like the Apache and Black Hawk helicopters rely heavily on thermoset composites to ensure structural integrity under high G-loads and extreme environmental conditions.

By Application Type

“Military aircraft are anticipated to continue being the foremost application of the market and missiles are likely to be the fastest-growing application type during the forecast period.”

• Based on application type, the defense composites market is segmented into military aircraft, military rotorcraft, UAVs, missiles, land vehicles, and other applications. Military aircraft are expected to be the dominant application in the defense composites market during the forecast period. Modern combat aircraft are increasingly composite-intensive platforms, with composites accounting for 30–50% of their total weight.
• With global air forces prioritizing modernization and replacement of legacy fleets, demand for military aircraft composites is expected to remain strong. Production ramp-ups in flagship programs further reinforce this trend. For example, Lockheed Martin plans to deliver around 190 F-35 fighter jets in 2025, up from its current annual production rate of 156, with continued growth anticipated in subsequent years.

Regional Analysis

“North America is anticipated to maintain its market dominance by region over the forecast period, whereas the Asia-Pacific region is poised to emerge as the fastest-growing market.”

• North America is likely to remain the dominant market by region throughout the forecast period, underpinned by its strong defense industrial base and sustained investments in advanced military programs. A major growth driver is the region’s emphasis on composite-rich military aircraft, rotorcraft, missiles, lightweight land vehicles, and personal protection equipment such as body armor and tactical helmets. Furthermore, North America is home to global aerospace and defense giants such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which have established assembly lines for major aircraft programs.
• Boeing produces platforms like the P-8A Poseidon, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and F-15E Strike Eagle, while Lockheed Martin manufactures the F-35, F-16, C-130J Super Hercules, and Black Hawk helicopters, all of which rely extensively on composites for structural efficiency, durability, and stealth performance. This concentration of OEMs, coupled with high defense spending by the U.S., ensures that North America remains the largest market for defense composites.

Key Players

Most of the major players compete in some of the factors, including price, service offerings, regional presence, etc. The following are the key players in the defense composites market -  

Here is the list of the Top Players (Based on Dominance)

• Hexcel Corporation
• Syensqo SA
• Toray Industries Inc.
• Sigmatex Limited
• SGL Carbon SE
• Teijin Limited
• DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
• LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
• Mitsubishi Chemical Group
• Owens Corning 

Note: The above list does not necessarily include all the top players in the market.

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Recent Developments/Mergers & Acquisitions:

• In 2025, TexTech acquired FMI for $165 million to expand into carbon–carbon composites, strengthening its ability to support hypersonic and missile defense systems.
• In 2025, Hexcel and Konsberg came to a long-term agreement for the supply of HexWeb® engineered honeycomb materials for defense & aerospace applications.
• In 2025, Syensqo and Terma collaborated to integrate Syensqo’s high-performance adhesives, polymers, and composites into Terma’s aerospace & defense system.
• In 2024, Toray acquired Gordon Plastics to expand its continuous-fiber thermoplastic tape production via a Colorado facility, enabling advanced high-temperature defense applications like lightweight ballistic structures and rugged UAV parts.
• In 2019, Hexcel acquired ARC Technologies LLC, a leading supplier of custom RF / EMI and microwave absorbing composite materials for military, aerospace, and industrial applications, for growth and market penetration.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. The report structure has been kept so that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for 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, Service portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
• COVID-19 impact and its recovery curve.
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
• Emerging trends.
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
• Key success factors.

Market Segmentation

This report studies the market, covering a period of 15 years of trend and forecast. The report provides detailed insights into the market dynamics to enable informed business decision-making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market.

The defense composites market is segmented into the following categories. 

Defense Composites Market, by Reinforcement Type

• Carbon Composites (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Glass Composites (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Aramid Composites (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Ceramic Composites (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

Defense Composites Market by Resin Type

• Thermoset Composites (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Thermoplastic Composites (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Ceramic Matrix Composites (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

Defense Composites Market by Application Type

• Military Aircraft (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Military rotorcraft (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• UAVs (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Missiles (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Land Vehicles (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Other Applications (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

Defense Composites Market by Region

• North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
• Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, The UK, Russia, and the Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Others)

Research Methodology

• This strategic assessment report from Stratview Research provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s defense composites market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period.
• The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner in order to provide a panoramic view of the market.
• The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants and investors in identifying the low-hanging fruit available in the market and formulating growth strategies to expedite their growth process.
• This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a 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 1000+ authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data.
• We conducted more than 10 detailed primary interviews with market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Customization Options

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Company Profiling

• Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players)
• SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players)

Competitive Benchmarking

• Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Product portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances

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