Body Armor Market

Body Armor Market Insights

“The global body armor market value was US$ 2.7 billion in 2024 and is likely to grow at a decent CAGR of 3.6% in the long run to reach US$ 3.5 billion in 2031.”

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Introduction

Body armor is basically of two types soft armor and hard armor. Soft body armor consists of flexible panels made up of synthetic fiber materials like aramid and polyethylene, typically designed to protect against handgun ammunition, and is primarily worn by law enforcement officials while carrying out regular paramilitary operations. On the other hand, hard body armor is made up of hard, ballistic-resistant panels and plates, and is intended to provide additional protection as compared to soft armor. Typically, hard body armor is thicker and heavier than soft body armor, as it is a combination of a hard armor plate with a soft armor panel. These two types of body armor are designed to effectively absorb and fend off physical assaults and ballistic ammunition.

Armor was historically made of metals and alloys. These armors, which were typically constructed of steel, were cumbersome, clumsy, and useless. Heavy metals resulted in an increase in the armor's weight, which made it difficult to carriage for an extended period. However, there has been a shift from the conventional metallic heavy body armor to extremely lightweight and comfortable body armor over the years, which is developed using Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) materials. With defense expenditure and law enforcement budgets rising in both developed and developing countries, a sizeable amount is being inevitably allocated to the procurement of advanced body armor, which aids in fending off threats to the physical safety of the personnel.

Body Armor Market Drivers

The body armor market is driven by a host of factors, some of which are noted below:

• Increase in terrorism, mass shootings, and gun violence across the globe.

• Law enforcement officers and military personnel have come to rely heavily on body armor in order to ensure their protection and survival during anti-terrorist military operations.

• Cross-border conflicts and geopolitical tensions are on the rise around the world.

• The Russia-Ukraine crisis serves as a recent example. Such factors propel the development and sales of body armor products globally.

Segments' Analysis

Armor Insights

“Hard body armor is estimated to be the dominant armor type during the forecast period.”

Based on armor type, the body armor market is segmented into soft body armor and hard body armor. Hard body armor dominates, due to its superior ballistic protection capabilities, widespread adoption by military and law enforcement, and continuous technological advancements in materials like ceramics and polyethylene. These advancements make the armor stronger while also making it lighter.

Product Insights

“Ballistic-resistant armor is expected to remain dominant in the market during the forecast period.”

Based on product type, the body armor market is segmented into ballistic-resistant armor, stab-resistant armor, combined resistant armor, and ICW Armor. Ballistic-resistant armor is likely to stay the top choice in the body armor market because there's always a need for strong protection against new and changing threats. With ongoing improvements in materials and how they're made, along with increasing security concerns in many industries, this type of armor remains in high demand.

Material Insights

“UHMWPE is expected to be the most preferred material in the market, over the forecasted years.”

Based on material type, the body armor market is segmented into UHMWPE, Aramid, Ceramic, and Other Materials. UHMWPE is expected to stay a popular choice for body armor because it’s incredibly strong yet lightweight. Its ability to resist bullets and last a long time makes it great at absorbing and spreading out the energy from projectiles, all while being easy to wear and tough enough for long-term use.

Level of Protection Insights

“Level IIIA + SP/KR/SP-KR is anticipated to witness the highest demand by the level of protection type.”

Based on the level of protection type the body armor market is segmented into Level IIA, Level II, Level IIIA, Level III, Level IV, SP1/KR1, SP2/KR2, SP3/KR3, Level IIA + SP/KR/SP-KR, Level II + SP/KR/SP-KR, Level  IIIA + SP/KR/SP-KR, Level III+ Level IIIA/II, and Level IV + Level IIIA/II. Level IIIA + SP/KR/SP-KR body armor is expected to see the most demand and grow the fastest because it provides strong protection against a wide range of threats, like powerful rifle rounds and common handgun bullets. These types of armor are becoming more important in both military and law enforcement situations.

End-User Insights

“Level IIIA + SP/KR/SP-KR is anticipated to witness the highest demand by the level of protection type.”

Based on the level of protection type the body armor market is segmented into Level IIA, Level II, Level IIIA, Level III, Level IV, SP1/KR1, SP2/KR2, SP3/KR3, Level IIA + SP/KR/SP-KR, Level II + SP/KR/SP-KR, Level  IIIA + SP/KR/SP-KR, Level III+ Level IIIA/II, and Level IV + Level IIIA/II. Level IIIA + SP/KR/SP-KR body armor is expected to see the most demand and grow the fastest because it provides strong protection against a wide range of threats, like powerful rifle rounds and common handgun bullets. These types of armor are becoming more important in both military and law enforcement situations.

Mode of Operation Insights

“Overt operation is estimated to be the dominant category in the market.”

Based on the mode of operation type the body armor market is segmented into covert and overt. Overt body armor is expected to lead the market because it offers better protection against serious threats, like heavy gunfire and sharp objects. It's also ideal for high-risk jobs, like military and law enforcement, where being visible and having customizable features are really important.

Regional Insights

“North America is expected to retain its dominance in the market during the forecast period.”

North America is expected to dominate the body armor market for several important reasons. First, there’s an ongoing need for stronger protection due to rising concerns about terrorism, mass shootings, and an increase in violent crime. These security threats have pushed governments, law enforcement agencies, and military forces to prioritize personal safety and invest in better protective gear.

In addition, the region's military and law enforcement agencies consistently upgrade their equipment, which drives demand for advanced body armor that can protect against a wider range of threats, from gunfire to sharp objects. The North American market also benefits from significant technological advancements, with new materials and design innovations making body armor more effective and lighter, which further boosts its appeal.

Moreover, North America has a well-established manufacturing base and strong supply chains that allow for the quick development and production of these technologies. This combination of high demand, continuous innovation, and strong local manufacturing capabilities makes North America the leading and fastest-growing market in the body armor industry.

Key Players

The market is fragmented, with over 50 players. Most of the major players compete in some of the governing factors, including price, service offerings, regional presence, etc. The following are the key players in the body armor market. Some of the major players provide a complete range of services.

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

• Cadre Holdings

• Point Blank Enterprises

• Safariland LLC

• Armor Express

• Mehler Vario System

• Tencate Advanced Armor

• Beijing Tongyizhong New Material Technology Corporation

• TYR Tactical

• US Armor Corporation

• XTek

• Senken Group

• Hardwire LLC

• Hesco

• MKU Limited

• Mars Armor

• SMPP

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

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Recent Developments of Body Armor Market

Recent M&As:

Schultze SPAC's Proposed Merger with Point Blank Enterprises (2023): In 2023, Schultze Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. II, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), entered into discussions to merge with Point Blank Enterprises Inc., a manufacturer of body armor. This merger aimed to enhance Point Blank's capabilities and market reach in the body armor industry.

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.

What Deliverables Will You Get in this Report?

The market is segmented into the following categories:

By Armor Type

• Hard Body Armor

• Soft Body Armor

By Product Type

• Ballistic-Resistant Armor

• Stab-Resistant Armor

• Combined-Resistant Armor

• ICW Armor

By Material Type

• UHMWPE

• Aramid

• Ceramic

• Others

By Level of Protection Type

• Level IIA

• Level II

• Level IIIA

• Level III

• Level IV

• SP1/KR1

• SP2/KR2

• SP3/KR3

• Level IIA + SP/KR/SP-KR

• Level II + SP/KR/SP-KR

• Level IIIA + SP/KR/SP-KR

• Level III+ Level IIIA/II

• Level IV+ Level IIIA/II

By End-User Type

• Military

• Homeland Security

• Commercial

By Mode of Operation Type

• Covert Operation

• Overt Operation

By Region

• North America (Country Analysis: the USA, Canada, and Mexico)

• Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, the UK, Russia, Spain, and the Rest of Europe)

• Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: China, Japan, India, South Korea, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific)

• Rest of the World (Sub-Region Analysis: Latin America, the Middle East, and Others)

Research Methodology

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s body armor 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 the market participants as well as investors in the identification of the low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as to formulate the 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 15 detailed primary interviews with the market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.