High Energy Lasers Market Size

High Energy Lasers Market Analysis

The High Energy Lasers Market size is estimated at USD 10.16 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 14.99 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 8.09% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The industry is one among the ones hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the demand for machine inventory declined, the demand for high-end lasers declined in the year 2020. The market started recovering eventually after a slowdown and increased demand from China.

• Lasers have demonstrated their effectiveness against missiles and are now used as the first line of defense. Because of rising defense budgets and research grants, militaries around the world are adopting high-energy laser-based equipment and investing heavily in R&D.
• High-energy lasers have played a crucial role in modern society, with increasing applications in manufacturing, communication, and defense. With the growing defense budget and research grants, militaries worldwide are adopting high-energy laser-based equipment and investing heavily in research and development. For example, in May 2021, the US army began testing a prototype laser weapon for close-range air defense; the weapon is a 50-kilowatt high-energy laser attached to a Stryker A1 vehicle that can locate, lock on, track, and destroy airborne threats.
• The defense industry drives a prominent share of the R&D and application of the technology. Major spending countries are keen on developing and inducting the technology as part of their forces and operation. According to SIPRI, total global military spending will increase by 0.7% in real terms in 2021, reaching USD 2.1 trillion. According to new data on global military spending, the five largest spenders in 2021 will be the United States, China, India, the United Kingdom, and Russia, accounting for 62% of total expenditure. Such developments should pave the way for new technologies and modernization.
• With the proliferation of drones in the defense sector, the demand for solutions that can track and destroy them has gained traction. For instance, in March 2021, European missile-maker MBDA and French firm CILAS agreed to collaborate with electronic warfare and intelligence specialist SIGN4L to explore co-development opportunities in high-energy laser weapons systems to destroy drones. Such developments are expected to increase over the coming years further.
• The application of high-energy lasers as part of missile defense systems is expected to increase, with major defense spenders increasingly adopting these solutions and showing interest in developing such solutions. For example, in March 2021, the Israeli Defense Ministry showed interest by seeking US funding and expertise for their air and missile defense lasers; Israel's current prototypes have achieved an output beam of nearly 100 kilowatts, whereas the United States has been exploring 300-kW weapons capable of killing cruise missiles.
• The most difficult task for researchers is to create a laser capable of reaching high enough levels to partially damage or defeat a target while tracking multiple objects at the same time. In turbulent air conditions such as dust and humidity, the laser must propagate efficiently and remain precisely focused on the target. The system must account for target movement, platform movement, and beam distortion caused by weather or environmental conditions.