Automatic Weapons Market Size

Global Automatic Weapons Market size was valued at USD 6.8 billion in 2023 and is poised to grow from USD 7.09 billion in 2024 to USD 9.85 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period (2025-2032).

Rising global geopolitical tensions, such as border conflicts, insurgencies, and intensified threats from non-state actors, are pushing governments to reenforce national security through sophisticated military solutions. As a direct implication, the defense expenditure is rising sharply, especially in East Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. The growing spending on the military propels the global demand for advanced automatic weapons providing greater firepower and quick response, thus fueling the global automatic weapons market to a huge extent.

Rapid advancements in automatic weapon technologies—such as improved accuracy, smart targeting, modular designs, and reduced recoil systems—are reshaping modern warfare. These technologies improve combat effectiveness and operational efficiency on the battlefield, making older systems antiquated. While armed forces race to upgrade arsenals with latest-generation automatic fire systems that incorporate advanced battlefield management systems, the demand keeps expanding. This level of technological growth is one driver of procurement policy and the formation of next-generation weapon systems for defense industries in countries around the world.

What role do AI-Powered Autonomous Weapons Play in Combat Efficiency?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is profoundly revolutionizing the global automatic weapons market by upgrading the capabilities of weapons and military tactics. AI incorporation allows the production of autonomous weapons systems that can detect and target without the presence of humans, thus maximizing combat effectiveness and minimizing the risk to soldiers. For example, Sweden is pushing the development of AI-driven drone swarms that work together in real time for reconnaissance and strike operations to support NATO defenses. This drive stimulates demand for advanced automatic weapons, thereby directly improving the market size. At the same time, the emergence of AI-based autonomous weapons creates ethical and regulatory issues, and international discussions around the proper use of such technology follow.

In December 2024, the UN General Assembly initiated international consultations aimed at advancing negotiations on regulating automatic weapons systems. This action is an indication of increased international concern regarding the moral, legal, and security implications of AI-powered military technologies, calling for urgent international norms to regulate their development and use.

How are Startups Reshaping the Development of Automatic Weapons Systems in Modern Warfare?

The startup environment of the global automatic weapons market is changing with the adoption of AI, robotics, and advanced targeting systems. New defense tech startups are working on modularity, intelligent fire-control, and unmanned weapon platforms. These companies tend to be funded by government contracts, defense accelerators, and strategic collaborations. As wars go high-tech, these quick-turnaround innovators are playing a critical part in transforming how weapons are developed, deployed, and integrated into larger defense systems.

Founded in 2011, SmartShooter is a defense-tech startup specializing in fire-control systems that transform standard rifles into smart, precision-guided weapons. One of its best-selling products, SMASH 2000, employs AI, computer vision, and real-time target algorithms to lock and track targets automatically, guaranteeing first-shot accuracy—even against drones. Its R&D innovation, autonomous drone-interception by small arms, is transforming ground-level anti-drone warfare, providing a low-cost, soldier-usable solution to increasing aerial threats in asymmetric warfare.

Established in the year 2015, Ghost Robotics specializes in robotic quadrupeds for defense and security purposes. Its famous product, Vision 60, is a robot dog equipped with automatic weapons like the SPUR (Special Purpose Unmanned Rifle). Vision 60 has the ability to patrol, monitor, and interact with minimal human interference. The company’s R&D innovation involves semi-autonomous perimeter defense using armed robots, enabling persistent security in contested or hazardous environments, reducing troop exposure while enhancing strategic responsiveness.