Military Helicopters Market Size and Share

Military Helicopters Market (2025 - 2030)
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Military Helicopters Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The military helicopters market size reached USD 9.17 billion in 2025 and is forecasted to expand to USD 10.20 billion by 2030 at a 2.16% CAGR, underscoring the sector’s measured progress in tightening defense budgets. Demand is concentrated in North America, where fleet-modernization contracts and service-life extension programs sustain procurement momentum. At the same time, Asia-Pacific registers the steepest ascent as regional powers field new indigenous platforms and boost sortie availability. Next-generation projects such as Future Vertical Lift (FVL), tiltrotors, and manned-unmanned teaming concepts keep technological barriers high, allowing prime contractors to protect margins through intellectual-property control and performance-based logistics. However, elevated life-cycle costs, rising anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) threats, and the growing competence of armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) introduce headwinds that temper large-scale acquisitions. Against this backdrop, the military helicopter market continues to favor versatile multi-mission designs that lower overall fleet counts and simplify sustainment.

Key Report Takeaways

  • By helicopter type, multi-mission platforms led with 51.76% revenue share in 2024, while transport variants are projected to post the fastest 5.73% CAGR through 2030.
  • By end-user service, army aviation accounted for 42.83% of the military helicopters market share in 2024; air force procurement is expected to climb at a 4.24% CAGR to 2030.
  • By engine type, twin-engine designs held 61.34% of the military helicopters market size in 2024, yet single-engine models are forecasted to advance 3.12% annually on training and light-recon demand.
  • By application, combat and close air support dominated with 43.89% of 2024 revenue, but troop transport is set to grow the quickest at a 4.76% CAGR through 2030.
  • By geography, North America captured 45.23% of the market share, while Asia-Pacific will witness the highest growth at 5.65% CAGR.

Segment Analysis

By Helicopter Type: Multi-mission platforms drive market consolidation

Multi-mission helicopters generated 51.76% of the military helicopters market size in 2024, validating defense planners’ preference for a single adaptable airframe across multiple roles. Demand stems from logistics simplification, reduced training load, and lower spares commonality. The UH-60M’s widespread adoption exemplifies this logic; variants cover medevac, special operations, and troop lift without changing power-plants. From 2025 to 2030, the segment is set to expand gradually as export customers upgrade avionics and weapon integration to NATO standards. Conversely, dedicated electronic-warfare and SAR helicopters keep stable but niche volumes, protected by mission-specific sensor payloads commanding premium margins.

Although transport helicopters have a smaller base, they are forecasted to post the fastest 5.73% CAGR, reflecting the lessons-learned emphasis on rapid troop deployment and disaster relief. The influx of disaster-response funding in the Asia-Pacific after typhoon seasons and earthquake events directly supports incremental procurements. While multi-mission platforms continue to dominate specifications, new transport programs often plug into broader amphibious and airborne logistics concepts, reinforcing the overall military helicopters market through follow-on spares and depot-level upgrades.

Military Helicopters Market: Market Share by Helicopter Type
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By End-User Service: Army aviation maintains dominance amid air force expansion

Army aviation contributed 42.83% to 2024 revenue, confirming ground forces’ reliance on rotorcraft for maneuver and fire support. Battalion-level acquisition plans in Poland, Australia, and India sustain volume as each nation replaces 1970s-era fleets with digital cockpits and network-centric mission suites. Air force orders, though smaller, register the strongest 4.24% CAGR through 2030 as personnel recovery, special operations, and nuclear security missions migrate from fixed-wing to rotary assets to gain hover and vertical-lift advantages.

Naval and marine corps users continue ordering maritime-optimized airframes featuring folding blades, corrosion protection, and shipboard avionics. Meanwhile, paramilitary and coast-guard agencies capture rising budgets tied to domestic security threats, allowing manufacturers to repackage military airframes into lower-spec public-order configurations without costly redesign. Together, these dynamics widen the total military helicopters market share obtainable by primes that tailor variants to diverse doctrinal needs.

By Engine Type: Twin-engine reliability versus single-engine economics

Twin-engine helicopters retained 61.34% of 2024 spending owing to redundancy that satisfies combat survivability rules. Missions over ocean or mountainous terrain mandate the ability to continue flight following one-engine failure, making dual-power-plant platforms indispensable for special forces and medevac. Despite the dominance, fuel and maintenance overhead remain substantial; operators examine predictive-maintenance analytics to squeeze extra hours between overhauls, a service line that enlarges aftermarket revenue for the military helicopters market.

Single-engine sales, although only a fraction, climb 3.12% annually because flight schools and reconnaissance squadrons value lower acquisition and operating costs. The US Navy’s TH-73A program showcases confidence in modern FADEC-controlled turbines that narrow reliability gaps. Emergent suppliers propose uprated single-engine designs with ballistic-tolerant crashworthiness and digital cockpit commonality, hoping to unlock adjunct sales in less hazardous roles. Should safety metrics align with twin-engine benchmarks, ministries may re-evaluate risk calculations, shifting up to 10% of future orders toward single-engine types and broadening the addressable military helicopters market size for lightweight OEMs.

Military Helicopters Market: Market Share by Engine Type
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By Application: Combat missions lead while transport accelerates

Combat and close air support held a 43.89% share in 2024, underscoring enduring demand for direct-fire rotary platforms capable of suppressing armored formations and providing overwatch to maneuvering troops. Ongoing AH-64E, Tiger MkIII, and Z-10 fleets recapitalization ensures stable retrofit contracts for sensor upgrades and networked missile systems. The military helicopters market benefits when doctrinal shifts emphasize precision engagement at extended stand-off ranges, supporting incremental software updates that add weapon compatibility without new airframes.

Transport postings grow at the swiftest 4.76% CAGR through 2030, paralleling expeditionary concepts reliant on strategic airlift complemented by organic rotary assets for last-mile delivery. Humanitarian and disaster relief remain steady contributors, given climate-related emergencies that require airlifting food, water, and medical teams into damaged infrastructure. Pilot training continues as a specialized slice that consumes roughly 5% of the military helicopters market yet drives stable purchase cycles aligned with aircrew pipeline throughput.

Geography Analysis

North America captured 45.23% of 2024 spending, anchored by multibillion-dollar CH-53K, UH-60M, and CH-47F orders underway at the US Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. Robust industrial depth supports quick retrofit campaigns, reinforcing aftermarket dominance that shapes global standard-setting across avionics, armament, and cybersecurity. Canada supplements demand with CH-148 Cyclone maritime units, while Mexico’s procurement of light utility models for border patrol increases cross-border MRO cooperation.

Asia-Pacific, the fastest-growing geography at 5.65% CAGR, accelerates on indigenous efforts such as China’s Z-20, India’s IMRH, and South Korea’s Surion line. Regional tensions in the East and South China Seas push air forces to maintain high readiness, prompting service-life extensions and block upgrades that embed local content mandates. Australia’s MRH-90 replacement and Japan’s UH-2 license-build illustrate how allied nations hedge supply-chain risk by co-producing under offset agreements, thereby enlarging regional economic multipliers tied to the military helicopters market.

Europe remains a stable yet budget-constrained buyer focused on collaborative platforms like NH90 and Tiger to maximize interoperability and spread R&D outlays. The EUR 14 billion (USD 16.27 billion) NGRC roadmap ensures that partner states sustain joint research into advanced propulsion, material science, and digital cockpits, though actual unit orders may lag parliamentary appropriations. The Middle East and Africa continue opportunistic purchases funded by hydrocarbon revenues or external security grants, typically favoring off-the-shelf US or European models that deliver quick capability boosts. South American demand stays moderate, driven by counter-narcotics and SAR needs that lean on rugged, multi-mission airframes assembled through local final-assembly lines when possible.

Military Helicopters Market CAGR (%), Growth Rate by Region
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Competitive Landscape

The top five manufacturers, Lockheed Martin Corporation, The Boeing Company, Airbus SE, Leonardo S.p.A., and Textron Inc., held most of 2024 billings, confirming a concentrated structure that permits specialist entrants in training or light-utility niches. Intense R&D rivalry centers on autonomous flight control, hybrid-electric propulsion, and open-systems architectures that let operators refresh sensors without full requalification. These technological stakes create sticky customer relationships because software upgrades and mission-data re-hosting require OEM engineering support throughout the airframe’s 30-year life.

Joint ventures like NHIndustries exemplify pooling strategies that secure scale economies against soaring certification costs. Meanwhile, white-space entrants target optionally-manned or cargo UAV segments, pressuring incumbents to acquire startups or form licensing deals to defend share. Patents filed in 2024 detail AI-enabled predictive maintenance dashboards and modular avionics that swap via encrypted software keys, innovations expected to reduce downtime by 20% and extend component life on high-temp gearbox parts.

Lifecycle support now represents up to 60% of total contract value; primes embed long-term sustainment clauses into initial bids to lock in recurring revenue and neutralize price competition at acquisition. Digital twins, blockchain-verified parts traceability, and additive-manufactured spares shorten turnaround times, enabling OEMs to promise 75% mission-capable rates even on deployed bases. As a result, future bidding wars will hinge less on fly-away cost and more on through-life availability, sustaining healthy margins within the military helicopters market despite flat procurement budgets.

Military Helicopters Industry Leaders

  1. Airbus SE

  2. Lockheed Martin Corporation

  3. Textron Inc.

  4. The Boeing Company

  5. Leonardo S.p.A

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Military Helicopters Market Concentration
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Recent Industry Developments

  • October 2025: Boeing and Leonardo partnered to compete for the US Army's Flight School Next contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) service. This collaboration integrates Boeing's extensive experience in Army rotary-wing training and program delivery with Leonardo's AW119T training helicopter, providing an efficient and scalable training solution for the next generation of aviators.
  • September 2025: The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) finalized a procurement contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A. The agreement encompasses the delivery of 68 fighter aircraft and 29 twin-seater variants, including associated equipment, to strengthen the Indian Air Force fleet.
  • September 2025: The US Department of Defense (DoD) signed a five-year, multi-year procurement (MYP) contract with Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, to acquire up to 99 CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopters.

Table of Contents for Military Helicopters Industry Report

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS

  • 4.1 Gross Domestic Product
    • 4.1.1 North America
    • 4.1.2 Europe
    • 4.1.3 Asia-Pacific
    • 4.1.4 South America
    • 4.1.5 Middle East and Africa
  • 4.2 Active Fleet Data
    • 4.2.1 North America
    • 4.2.2 Europe
    • 4.2.3 Asia-Pacific
    • 4.2.4 South America
    • 4.2.5 Middle East and Africa
  • 4.3 Defense Spending
    • 4.3.1 North America
    • 4.3.2 Europe
    • 4.3.3 Asia-Pacific
    • 4.3.4 South America
    • 4.3.5 Middle East and Africa

5. MARKET LANDSCAPE

  • 5.1 Market Overview
  • 5.2 Market Drivers
    • 5.2.1 Accelerated rotorcraft modernization programs
    • 5.2.2 Shift toward multi-mission modular platforms
    • 5.2.3 Future Vertical Lift (FVL) and similar next-gen initiatives
    • 5.2.4 Rapid adoption of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) concepts
    • 5.2.5 Fleet-wide demand for predictive maintenance and health monitoring
    • 5.2.6 Push for hybrid-electric propulsion to cut logistic fuel burden
  • 5.3 Market Restraints
    • 5.3.1 High total-life-cycle cost and stretched defense budgets
    • 5.3.2 Stringent export-control and technology-transfer constraints
    • 5.3.3 Growing lethality of anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) threats
    • 5.3.4 Competition from armed UAVs for attack/ISR missions
  • 5.4 Value Chain Analysis
  • 5.5 Regulatory Landscape
  • 5.6 Technological Outlook
  • 5.7 Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
    • 5.7.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 5.7.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
    • 5.7.3 Threat of New Entrants
    • 5.7.4 Threat of Substitutes
    • 5.7.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

6. MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECASTS (VALUE)

  • 6.1 By Helicopter Type
    • 6.1.1 Multi-mission Helicopter
    • 6.1.2 Transport Helicopter
    • 6.1.3 Other Helicopter
  • 6.2 By End-User Service
    • 6.2.1 Air Force
    • 6.2.2 Army Aviation
    • 6.2.3 Naval/Marine Corps Aviation
    • 6.2.4 Joint/Special Operations
    • 6.2.5 Paramilitary and Coast Guard
  • 6.3 By Engine Type
    • 6.3.1 Single Engine
    • 6.3.2 Twin Engine
  • 6.4 By Application
    • 6.4.1 Combat and Close Air Support
    • 6.4.2 Troop Transport
    • 6.4.3 Humanitarian and Disaster Relief
    • 6.4.4 Pilot Training
  • 6.5 By Geography
    • 6.5.1 North America
    • 6.5.1.1 United States
    • 6.5.1.2 Canada
    • 6.5.1.3 Mexico
    • 6.5.2 Europe
    • 6.5.2.1 United Kingdom
    • 6.5.2.2 France
    • 6.5.2.3 Germany
    • 6.5.2.4 Italy
    • 6.5.2.5 Spain
    • 6.5.2.6 Russia
    • 6.5.2.7 Rest of Europe
    • 6.5.3 Asia-Pacific
    • 6.5.3.1 China
    • 6.5.3.2 India
    • 6.5.3.3 Japan
    • 6.5.3.4 South Korea
    • 6.5.3.5 Indonesia
    • 6.5.3.6 Australia
    • 6.5.3.7 Rest of Asia-Pacific
    • 6.5.4 South America
    • 6.5.4.1 Brazil
    • 6.5.4.2 Rest of South America
    • 6.5.5 Middle East and Africa
    • 6.5.5.1 Middle East
    • 6.5.5.1.1 Saudi Arabia
    • 6.5.5.1.2 United Arab Emirates
    • 6.5.5.1.3 Qatar
    • 6.5.5.1.4 Rest of Middle East
    • 6.5.5.2 Africa
    • 6.5.5.2.1 South Africa
    • 6.5.5.2.2 Nigeria
    • 6.5.5.2.3 Rest of Africa

7. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 7.1 Market Concentration
  • 7.2 Strategic Moves
  • 7.3 Market Share Analysis
  • 7.4 Company Profiles (includes Global level Overview, Market level overview, Core Segments, Financials as available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share for key companies, Products and Services, and Recent Developments)
    • 7.4.1 Airbus SE
    • 7.4.2 Lockheed Martin Corporation
    • 7.4.3 The Boeing Company
    • 7.4.4 Leonardo S.p.A.
    • 7.4.5 Textron Inc.
    • 7.4.6 Rostec
    • 7.4.7 Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
    • 7.4.8 Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd.
    • 7.4.9 Aviation Industry Corporation of China
    • 7.4.10 Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    • 7.4.11 Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc.
    • 7.4.12 MD Helicopters, LLC
    • 7.4.13 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

8. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

  • 8.1 White-space and Unmet-need Assessment

9. KEY STRATEGIC QUESTIONS FOR MILITARY HELICOPTER OEM CEOS

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Global Military Helicopters Market Report Scope

Multi-Mission Helicopter, Transport Helicopter, Others are covered as segments by Body Type. Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America, South America are covered as segments by Region.
By Helicopter Type
Multi-mission Helicopter
Transport Helicopter
Other Helicopter
By End-User Service
Air Force
Army Aviation
Naval/Marine Corps Aviation
Joint/Special Operations
Paramilitary and Coast Guard
By Engine Type
Single Engine
Twin Engine
By Application
Combat and Close Air Support
Troop Transport
Humanitarian and Disaster Relief
Pilot Training
By Geography
North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe United Kingdom
France
Germany
Italy
Spain
Russia
Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific China
India
Japan
South Korea
Indonesia
Australia
Rest of Asia-Pacific
South America Brazil
Rest of South America
Middle East and Africa Middle East Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Qatar
Rest of Middle East
Africa South Africa
Nigeria
Rest of Africa
By Helicopter Type Multi-mission Helicopter
Transport Helicopter
Other Helicopter
By End-User Service Air Force
Army Aviation
Naval/Marine Corps Aviation
Joint/Special Operations
Paramilitary and Coast Guard
By Engine Type Single Engine
Twin Engine
By Application Combat and Close Air Support
Troop Transport
Humanitarian and Disaster Relief
Pilot Training
By Geography North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe United Kingdom
France
Germany
Italy
Spain
Russia
Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific China
India
Japan
South Korea
Indonesia
Australia
Rest of Asia-Pacific
South America Brazil
Rest of South America
Middle East and Africa Middle East Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Qatar
Rest of Middle East
Africa South Africa
Nigeria
Rest of Africa
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Market Definition

  • Aircraft Type - All the military rotorcraft which are used for various applications are included in this study.
  • Sub-Aircraft Type - For this study, all the military helicopters based on their application are considered.
  • Body Type - Multi-Mission Helicopters, Transport Helicopters, Training Helicopters and various other rotorcraft are considered in this study.
Keyword Definition
IATA IATA stands for the International Air Transport Association, a trade organization composed of airlines around the world that has an influence over the commercial aspects of flight.
ICAO ICAO stands for International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations that supports aviation and navigation around the globe.
Air Operator Certificate (AOC) A certificate granted by a National Aviation Authority permitting the conduct of commercial flying activities.
Certificate Of Airworthiness (CoA) A Certificate Of Airworthiness (CoA) is issued for an aircraft by the civil aviation authority in the state in which the aircraft is registered.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Gross domestic product (GDP) is a monetary measure of the market value of all the final goods and services produced in a specific time period by countries.
RPK (Revenue Passenger Kilometres) The RPK of an airline is the sum of the products obtained by multiplying the number of revenue passengers carried on each flight stage by the stage distance - it is the total number of kilometers traveled by all revenue passengers.
Load Factor The load factor is a metric used in the airline industry that measures the percentage of available seating capacity that has been filled with passengers.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) An original equipment manufacturer (OEM) traditionally is defined as a company whose goods are used as components in the products of another company, which then sells the finished item to users.
International Transportation Safety Association (ITSA) International Transportation Safety Association (ITSA) is an international network of heads of independent safety investigation authorities (SIA).
Available Seats Kilometre (ASK) This metric is calculated by multiplying Available Seats (AS) in one flight, defined above, multiplied by the distance flown.
Gross Weight The fully-loaded weight of an aircraft, also known as “takeoff weight,” which includes the combined weight of passengers, cargo, and fuel.
Airworthiness The ability of an aircraft, or other airborne equipment or system, to operate in flight and on the ground without significant hazard to aircrew, ground crew, passengers or to other third parties.
Airworthiness Standards Detailed and comprehensive design and safety criteria applicable to the category of aeronautical product (aircraft, engine or propeller).
Fixed Base Operator (FBO) A business or organization that operates at an airport. An FBO provides aircraft operating services like maintenance, fueling, flight training, charter services, hangaring, and parking.
High Net worth Individuals (HNWIs) High Net worth Individuals (HNWIs) are individuals with over USD 1 million in liquid financial assets.
Ultra High Net worth Individuals (UHNWIs) Ultra High Net worth Individuals (UHNWIs) are individuals with over USD 30 million in liquid financial assets.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) The division of the Department of Transportation is concerned with aviation. It operates Air Traffic Control and regulates everything from aircraft manufacturing to pilot training to airport operations in the United States.
EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) The European Aviation Safety Agency is a European Union agency established in 2002 with the task of overseeing civil aviation safety and regulation.
Airborne Warning and Control System (AW&C) aircraft Airborne Warning and Control System (AEW&C) aircraft is equipped with a powerful radar and on-board command and control center to direct the armed forces.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two North American.
Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a development and acquisition program intended to replace a wide range of existing fighter, strike, and ground attack aircraft for the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and formerly Turkey.
Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) A light combat aircraft (LCA) is a light, multirole jet/turboprop military aircraft, commonly derived from advanced trainer designs, designed for engaging in light combat.
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is an international institute that provides data, analysis, and recommendations for armed conflict, military expenditure, and arms trade as well as disarmament and arms control.
Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) A maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), also known as maritime reconnaissance aircraft is a fixed-wing aircraft designed to operate for long durations over water in maritime patrol roles, in particular, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-ship warfare (AShW), and search and rescue (SAR).
Mach Number The Mach number is defined as the ratio of true airspeed to the speed of sound at the altitude of a given aircraft.
Stealth Aircraft Stealth is a Common term applied to low observable (LO) technology and doctrine, that makes an aircraft near invisible to radar, infrared or visual detection.
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Research Methodology

Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.

  • Step-1: Identify Key Variables:  In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step-1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set and the model is built on the basis of these variables.
  • Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the historical and forecast years have been provided in revenue and volume terms. For sales conversion to volume, the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period for each country, and inflation is not a part of the pricing.
  • Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.
  • Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms
research-methodology
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