Body Armor Market

Body Armor Market: Overview

The market size for Body Armor Market was USD 2.1 Billion in 2021, projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3 percent during the forecast period. According to conventional definitions, body armor refers to a layer of protective equipment worn by military personnel. Its principal objective is to protect the wearer by absorbing or deflecting missiles or melee strikes. Body armor has become more common as security personnel, law enforcement officials and others use it more frequently to reduce traumatic injuries and safeguard themselves against unexpected deadly attacks. The UK military announced additional body armor upgrades for women serving in its armed forces in March 2022. Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), and Source Tactical Gear worked together to create the improved protective gear, which is known as the Virtus Scalable Tactical Vest (STV).

The need for body armor is driven by increased commercial security awareness in the United States. Additionally, as threats become more prevalent, worries about security are swiftly growing in industrial sectors including retail, healthcare, and transportation. As a result, it is anticipated that during the projection period, demand for this product will increase. Counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, and guerrilla warfare operations are examples of contemporary warfare tactics that could cause fatal casualties to soldiers. Similar situations occur in the world of law enforcement, when criminals, convicts, and other lawbreakers have the potential to fatally hurt corresponding officers, necessitating the purchase of personal body armor and similar gear.

Players' research and development costs rise due to the strict conformity requirements enforced by many countries' regulatory authorities (R&D) standards. This is hampering the market's present expansion. Due to widespread economic difficulties, not every government can afford to invest in high-tech safety measures like body armor. The recession's aftereffects have slowed the expansion rate in several industries, hurting the body armor market. India announced the new "Veer" helmets for the Indian Army soldiers in February 2022. Global Defense and Homeland Security Company MKU created these helmets. These helmets may be mounted with several accessories using the MCAS (Modular Accessory Connector System).

Body Armor Market: COVID-19 Impact

In 2020, the market had only somewhat impacted the COVID-19 epidemic. The industry's effects can be ascribed to the temporary closure of several production companies and a modest decline in demand from the law enforcement sector for body armor. The epidemic has resulted in a lack of resources, including people and raw materials, which has impacted the production of bulletproof vests. During the second half of 2020, North America saw an increased demand for ballistic helmets, masks, and shields.

Body Armor Market: Drivers

Technological Advances have Fuelled Growth in Body Armor Materials

The market is anticipated to grow in the upcoming years as military personnel safety is given more attention during modern warfare operations. Operations, including counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and guerrilla warfare, can result in fatal injuries. Investments in lightweight and durable body armor are required for law enforcement officials as they need personal armor to protect themselves from criminals, lawbreakers, and convicts. Traditional body armor is rigid and limits fluid motion while being worn. To increase the performance of these goods, manufacturers are responding by releasing flexible and lightweight body armors. Body mapping technology has been integrated into ballistic protection suits to ensure optimal fit and freedom of movement while wearing them. Modern suits equally distribute the user's weight load, allowing unrestricted movement and protection. It is believed that such advancements will boost market sales.

Rising Political Conflicts and acts of Violence Fuelled Market Growth

Both military and law enforcement organizations have adopted body armor to protect their employees in various situations due to the escalating geopolitical conflict and the rise in violent and terrorist acts. However, the degree of protection provided by the body armor varies depending on how the end users perceive the threat. For example, security guards might not need to protect themselves from high-caliber ammunition with the same substantial armor as troops. These occurrences have sparked fresh acquisition plans by numerous global organizations, raising the demand for body armor.

Body Armor Market: Restraints

Numerous Regulations Has Hindered Market Growth

The market is weak and subject to many laws and restrictions. It is evaluated by three regulatory bodies, including the National Institute of Justice, the United States Department of Defense, and Underwriters Laboratories (UL India) (NIJ). Manufacturers and sellers of armor plates should adhere to the requirements for determining the level of strength the armor can withstand compared to any threat. The requirements help determine the level of assault that a body armor plate would be able to withstand. Regulatory changes to ensure enhanced safety create a difficult climate for market suppliers. The most recent developments in ceramic armors show that ceramics may be used for unimportant items.

Body Armor Market: Segment Overview

Defense Segment Dominated Market Due to Growing Instance of Violence

In 2021, the defense sector dominated the market and contributed 58.9% of total revenue. This has introduced new tactical ballistic vest protection and ground-breaking body armor. This is due to the evolution of combat hazards like bone-breaking batons or shrapnel in improvised explosive devices. As they perform their duty to ensure safety and security and to discover, prevent, and punish crimes, security professionals and first responders are likely to increase demand for this product over the anticipated period. Increased government spending on internal security and control worldwide is also projected to fuel the segment's rise. Military personnel struggle to wear and move around in the body armor due to its considerable weight on the battlefield. As a result, businesses and governments worldwide are investing in creating new, lighter vests with greater mobility thanks to cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing and composite materials.

Level III Protection Has Been Most Utilized Due To Better Protection

In 2021, Level III protection accounted for 25.0% of global revenue. Level III vests can stop a wider variety of bullets and are more flexible, lighter, and concealable under clothes. They also offer more protection against blunt force than IIA. The level III product is the most commonly used protection armor suited for council employees, policemen, and civilians. A soft armor category is level IIIA. The materials used to determine the Level IIIA and Level III options differ. The Level IIIA product can also be used with additional protective panels to provide optimal protection. Both overt and covert use of this body armor is possible. To guard against shotgun shells like 9 mm civil defense rounds, several manufacturers also provide IIIA+ items.

Body Armor Market: Regional Landscape

Asia Pacific Dominated Market Due to Growing Border Conflicts

In particular, on the Indo-China border, the geopolitical situation in the Asia-Pacific has made the region a hotspot for unheard-of skirmishes and military standoffs. The countries' huge military populations also require the adoption of suitable body armor for the protection of the troops, and the wear and tear on such equipment also cause cyclical demand. The British, German, Spanish, and French militaries, as well as the Japanese and American police forces, are among the 250 units in over 100 nations that receive sophisticated bulletproof vests and helmets from India, which is also a major exporter of these items. The "Make in India" initiative's bulletproof vests are produced by IS17051:2018 specifications created by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). India is the only nation having a national standard for bulletproof jackets, other than the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The BIS-certified vests are offered in several sizes and provide all-around defense against bullets fired from assault rifles like AK-47s, which have a traversal speed of 700 meters per second. The Indian armed forces are currently in need of about 0.3 million bulletproof vests. Additionally, the persistent threat of a terrorist strike in the nation has prompted the Indian government to buy essential protection gear for the armed forces. The concept of creating the "World's First Body Shield" that can withstand armor-piercing weapons was tested in China in January 2022. The deployment of better body armor for the nation's ground troops is necessary due to the country's growing military confrontations with its neighbors. Through this, the nation is creating body shields that are lightweight and flexible to defend soldiers from weapons that penetrate armor.

 In 2021, the U.S. contributed significantly to revenue. To counteract the aggressiveness of its strategic rivals like China and Russia, the United States has increased its military budget. Additionally, the US has aggressively provided Ukraine with military assistance in its conflict with Russia. In the upcoming months, it is also projected that this will enhance demand for this product.

Body Armor Market: Competitive Landscape

The UK military announced additional body armor upgrades for women serving in its armed forces in March 2022. Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), and Source Tactical Gear worked together to create the improved protective gear, which is known as the Virtus Scalable Tactical Vest (STV). India announced the new "Veer" helmets for the Indian Army soldiers in February 2022. Global Defense and Homeland Security Company MKU created these helmets. These helmets may be mounted with several accessories using the MCAS (Modular Accessory Connector System).

Few of the players in the Body Armor Market include Safariland, LLC; Point Blank Enterprises, Inc.; Elmon SA; Pacific Safety Products Inc.; Ballistic Body Armor Pty; Craig International Ballistics Pty Ltd.; EnGarde Body Armor; BAE Systems plc; Hellweg International Pty Ltd.; Ceradyne Inc.; Avon Protection plc; Sarkar Tactical Ltd.; Armored Republic LLC.

Body Armor Market is Segmented as Below:

By Protection Level Outlook

• Level II
• Level IIA
• Level III
• Level IIIA
• Level IV

By End-user Outlook

• Defence
• Law Enforcement & Security Personnel
• Civilians

By Product Type Outlook

• Vest
• Helmets
• Others

By Product Style Outlook

• Covert
• Overt

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • UK
  • France
  • Germany
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • India
  • China
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• LAMEA
  • Latin America
  • Middle East
  • Africa

Key Elements Included In The Study: Global Body Armor Market

• Body Armor Market by Product/Technology/Grade, Application/End-user, and Region
• Executive Summary (Opportunity Analysis and Key Trends)
• Historical Market Size and Estimates, Value, 2018 - 2021
• Market Value at Regional and Country Level, 2022 - 2029
• Market Dynamics and Economic Overview
• Market Size in Value, Growth Rates, and Forecast Figures, 2022 - 2029
• Competitive Intelligence with Financials, Key Developments, and Portfolio of Leading Companies 
• Regional and Product/Grade/Application/End-user Price Trends Analysis
• Value Chain and Five Force’s Analysis
• Regional/Sub-region/Country Market Size and Trend Analysis
• Company Market Share Analysis and Key Player Profiles

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