Less Lethal Ammunition Market To Reach $1.49 Billion By 2030

Less Lethal Ammunition Market Growth & Trends

The global less lethal ammunition market size is expected to reach USD 1.49 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. A rise in the number of terrorist activities and hostilities across the globe is likely to increase the procurement of defense equipment by prominent military organizations across the globe, thereby directly benefiting the market over the forecast period. The heightening risks pertaining to terrorism and political violence worldwide are expected to impact the security and stability of countries across the globe Thus, the majority of nations have begun attempts to strengthen their military capabilities to combat terrorism and protect their geographical borders from escalating geopolitical rivalry.

Furthermore, several countries are working on improving their law enforcement institutions to regulate domestic tensions. These developments are projected to fuel demand for guns and ammunition, boosting market growth. Asia Pacific witnessed an unprecedented surge in defense spending in the past decade. Rising geopolitical tension and border disputes between the regional powers have been the primary driving factors boosting the defense spending in the region. In addition, the growing threat from terrorist activities and separatist insurgency has had a major influence on increasing defense spending in the region. Customers are supplied by industry players through direct supply or third-party distributors.

Less lethal ammunition designed for commercial usage, such as police, prisons, military, and other government-authorized agencies, is distributed through either B2B or B2C channels. In the B2B channel, the manufacturer sells its finished products to another firm, which can be a firearms store or a distributor, whereas in the B2C channel, the manufacturer sells its products directly to end customers. Polyethylene or plastic bullets are made of hard plastic and are designed to be fired from a shotgun or other similar weapon. They are designed to incapacitate suspects without causing permanent harm, making them a valuable tool for law enforcement agencies in situations where lethal force may not be necessary or appropriate.

Plastic bullets are particularly effective in situations where law enforcement officers need to maintain a safe distance from suspects as they can be fired from several meters. The global market is characterized as highly competitive owing to the presence of both regional and multinational players. Governments have contracts with several domestic and foreign players to offer products and services. Thus, manufacturers often compete with other large companies and defense contractors as well as small companies that specialize in a particular technology or capability. The players also face competition from offerings of state-owned defense manufacturers.

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Less Lethal Ammunition Market Report Highlights

• The shotgun product segment dominated the market with a share of 53.8% in 2023 and is projected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. This increase in shotgun sales is essentially attributed to field guns. As the effects of the pandemic begin to fade, the hunters return to the field. In addition to trap and skeet shooting, shotguns are also used as police weapons in several countries

• Rubber bullets led the global market in 2023 with a share of 35.9%. Rubber bullets are a type of kinetic impact projectile (KIP), which are available as single projectiles or fired as a group of pellets. Moreover, the growing defense and security sector in developing economies, such as India, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, with the required regulatory support, in terms of permits for arms and ammunition materials, is expected to fuel the demand for different less lethal ammunition for weapons over the forecast period

• Based on end-use, law enforcement accounted for the largest share of 59.5% in 2023 owing to continuously upgraded ammunition designed for law enforcement and military groups. Many countries are investing in the research & development of ammunition to increase its efficiency and reduce the threat of the enemy

• North America was the largest consumer of the market owing to the huge military expenditures of countries, such as the U.S. and Canada. The region also has major manufacturers, such as Winchester Ammunition, Inc., Combined Systems, Inc., Lightfield Ammunition, Corp., and NonLethal Technologies, Inc. However, Europe is expected to exhibit the second-fastest growth in the foreseeable future in line with the rising defense expenditure and economic growth

• Manufacturers are involved in teaming and sub-contracting with their competitors. This is because major defense contracts often require various teams to collaborate on their broad capabilities to cater to the customer's requirements.

Less Lethal Ammunition Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global less lethal ammunition market on the basis of product, application, end-use, and region:

Less Lethal Ammunition Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Shotguns

• Launchers

• Other Weapon Types

Less Lethal Ammunition Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Rubber Bullets

• Bean Bag Rounds

• Polyethylene/Plastic Bullets

• OC/CS & Smoke Munitions

• Flash Bang Rounds

• Paintballs

• Other Applications

Less Lethal Ammunition End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Law Enforcement

• Military

• Other End-uses

Less Lethal Ammunition Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• North America

  • U.S.

  • Canada

  • Mexico

• Europe

  • UK

  • Germany

  • France

  • Italy

  • Spain

• Asia Pacific

  • China

  • Japan

  • India

  • Australia

  • Singapore

• Central & South America

  • Brazil

  • Argentina

• Middle East & Africa

List of Key Players in Less Lethal Ammunition Market

• Rheinmetall AG

• Chemring Group Plc

• Winchester Ammunition, Inc.

• Federal Ammunition

• Combined Systems, Inc.

• Lightfield Ammunition, Corp.

• NonLethal Technologies, Inc.

• Safariland, LLC

• AMTEC Less-Lethal Systems Inc.

• Mace Security International, Inc.

• SAGE Control Ordnance, Inc.

• Security Devices International, Inc.

• Verney-Carron S.A.

• Brenneke Ammunition GmbH

• Trust Eibarres SA