Search and Rescue Helicopter Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis, By Type(Medium-Lift Helicopters, Heavy-Lift Helicopters), By End-user(Government and Military, and Civil and Commercial) - Industry Forecast 2024-2031

Search and Rescue Helicopter Market size was valued at USD 1.91 billion in 2021 and is poised to grow from USD 2.4 billion in 2022 to USD 3.31 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.1% in the forecast period (2023-2030).

The global Search and Rescue Helicopter Market is witnessing substantial growth owing to the increasing demand for advanced helicopters dedicated to search and rescue operations. Various countries are investing in these helicopters to bolster their capabilities in military, law enforcement, public safety, and other critical rescue applications. This surge in demand is projected to drive the industry's expansion throughout the forecast period. A noteworthy example highlighting this growing trend is the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) of the U.K. signing a significant ten-year deal valued at 1.6 billion pounds with Bristow Helicopters Ltd. The agreement includes the delivery of 18 search and rescue helicopters, indicating the emphasis on enhancing search and rescue capabilities. Furthermore, search and rescue helicopters are playing a crucial role in the prompt and secure transportation of human organs for medical purposes. Additionally, they are actively deployed in aiding mass evacuations during natural disasters. A case in point is the deployment of search and rescue helicopters to rescue people affected by severe floods in Pakistan.

Moreover, commercial and civil companies are also recognizing the importance of maintaining their own search and rescue helicopter fleets to ensure the safety of their employees working in hazardous or remote locations. Milestone Aviation, for instance, successfully delivered 21 Leonardo AW139 search and rescue helicopters to Saudi Aramco Ltd. in February 2022, as part of their fleet renewal initiative. The growth in the market is further fueled by continuous hardware improvements and advanced software integration in search and rescue helicopters. These enhancements aid pilots and rescue personnel in conducting SAR operations more effectively, even under challenging conditions. Advanced technologies like night vision capable cockpits, satellite flight following and communication systems, and enhanced ground proximity sensors are being integrated into search and rescue helicopters, making them highly efficient and capable. Another significant factor driving the industry's expansion is the rising trend of leasing search and rescue helicopters. This allows commercial and civil entities to access SAR fleets without the burden of owning and maintaining them. For example, LCI Aviation Operations Ltd. has formed a joint SAR helicopter lease venture worth USD 230 billion in partnership with Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company. This venture aims to provide Leonardo, Airbus, and Sikorsky helicopters on lease for various SAR missions.

US Search and Rescue Helicopter Market is poised to grow at a sustainable CAGR for the next forecast year.