Military Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market Size & Share Analysis 2030

Name: Military Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market Size & Share Analysis 2030
Creator: Mordor Intelligence
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Military Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market Size and Share

Market Overview

Study Period	2019 - 2030
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.20 Billion
Market Size (2030)	USD 3.03 Billion
Growth Rate (2025 - 2030)	6.61% CAGR
Fastest Growing Market	Asia Pacific
Largest Market	North America
Market Concentration	Medium
Major Players *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Military Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market (2025 - 2030) — Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Military Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The military unmanned ground vehicle market size is estimated at USD 2.20 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 3.03 billion by 2030, expanding at a 6.61% CAGR. Expansion is tied to steadily rising defense budgets across NATO and Indo-Pacific nations, the growing imperative to protect soldiers by delegating high-risk tasks to robots, and rapid advances in artificial intelligence that make autonomous navigation feasible in GPS-denied settings.^{[1]Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, “FY 2025 DoD Budget Report,” auvsi.org}At the same time, the pace of adoption remains disciplined rather than explosive because militaries prioritize proven reliability, cyber-secure command links, and stable logistics over headline-grabbing novelty. Combat missions continue to dominate demand, yet logistics and disaster-response roles are emerging rapidly as armies recognize the strategic value of unmanned sustainment and dual-use deployments. Competitive intensity is moderate because prime contractors leverage existing vehicle families, while specialist robotics firms carve niches through legged or hybrid mobility concepts.

Key Report Takeaways

By application, combat operations held 54.65% of the military uncrewed ground vehicles market share in 2024, whereas logistics and resupply are projected to grow at a 7.87% CAGR through 2030.
By mode of operation, tele-operated platforms accounted for a 65.12% share of the military unmanned ground vehicles market size in 2024; fully autonomous systems are advancing at a 10.24% CAGR between 2025 and 2030.
By mobility platform, tracked vehicles led with 52.01% revenue share in 2024, while hybrid transforming platforms are slated to expand at a 9.14% CAGR to 2030.
By weight class, medium systems captured 42.60% of the military unmanned ground vehicles market size in 2024, whereas micro UGVs are expected to post the fastest 8.64% CAGR during 2025-2030.
By geography, North America commanded a 39.14% share in 2024; Asia-Pacific is forecast to register the highest 7.32% CAGR over 2025-2030.

Global Military Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market Trends and Insights

Drivers Impact Analysis

Driver	(~)% Impact on CAGR Forecast	Geographic Relevance	Impact Timeline
Expanding defence budgets among NATO and Indo-Pacific nations	+1.80%	Global, concentrated in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific	Medium term (2-4 years)
Soldier-safety focus driving autonomous combat/logistics platforms	+1.20%	Global, particularly US, Israel, European NATO members	Short term (≤ 2 years)
AI-enabled sensor-fusion and autonomous navigation breakthroughs	+0.90%	Global, led by US, China, European tech centers	Long term (≥ 4 years)
Manned–unmanned teaming doctrine in multi-domain operations	+0.80%	NATO countries, Australia, Japan, South Korea	Medium term (2-4 years)
EW-resilient ground relay nodes demand	+0.60%	Global, priority in contested environments	Medium term (2-4 years)
Climate-disaster engineering missions creating dual-use demand	+0.40%	Global, emphasis on disaster-prone regions	Long term (≥ 4 years)

Source: Mordor Intelligence

Expanding defence budgets among NATO and Indo-Pacific nations

Allied spending increases have sent clear demand signals to industry. Japan set aside JPY 103.2 billion (USD 714 million) for unmanned asset defence capabilities in FY 2025, while the US allocated USD 10.1 billion for uncrewed systems in the same fiscal cycle. Europe boosted military outlays by 17% in 2024, funneling part of the European Defence Fund into autonomous ground platforms. These multi-year budget uplifts underpin long-term production planning, allowing the military unmanned ground vehicles market to scale without disruptive boom-and-bust cycles.

Soldier-safety focus driving autonomous combat and logistics platforms

Modern doctrine places unmanned systems on the front line of contact. Ukraine’s field use of Milrem Robotics THeMIS for casualty evacuation validated the concept of removing troops from danger zones. The US Army’s Autonomous Transport Vehicle System seeks a 50% uplift in sustainment throughput by offloading routine resupply to robots. This safety imperative fuels procurement across weight classes, particularly for logistics and explosive-ordnance roles.

AI-enabled sensor-fusion and autonomous navigation breakthroughs

Transformer-based algorithms and multi-modal sensor stacks have reduced localization error rates in cluttered, GPS-denied environments. The Defense Innovation Unit’s Ground Vehicle Autonomous Pathways project accelerates software that fuses LiDAR, EO/IR, and acoustic data for reliable route planning.^{[3]Defense Innovation Unit, “Accelerating Autonomous Vehicle Technology for the DoD,” diu.mil} These advances unlock semi-autonomous and fully autonomous modes, widening mission profiles and driving replacement demand away from purely tele-operated platforms.

Manned–unmanned teaming doctrine in multi-domain operations

Programs such as the US Army Wingman synchronize crews, manned vehicles, and UGVs through common control interfaces to improve combined-arms survivability. NATO’s STANAG 4586 standardization work ensures allied forces can share data and tasking across mixed fleets. As teaming becomes embedded in doctrine, demand shifts toward interoperable UGV designs rather than isolated, proprietary solutions.

Restraints Impact Analysis

Restraint	(~)% Impact on CAGR Forecast	Geographic Relevance	Impact Timeline
Cyber/jamming vulnerability of C2 links	-0.7%	Global, acute in near-peer contested environments	Short term (≤ 2 years)
High acquisition and life-cycle cost vs manned vehicles	-0.5%	Global, particularly budget-constrained nations	Medium term (2-4 years)
Arms-control ambiguity over lethal autonomy	-0.3%	Global, emphasis on NATO and allied nations	Long term (≥ 4 years)
Lack of cross-allied interoperability standards	-0.2%	NATO and allied nations, multinational operations	Medium term (2-4 years)

Source: Mordor Intelligence

Cyber/jamming vulnerability of C2 links

Near-peer adversaries field powerful electronic-warfare suites that can jam or spoof control channels, exposing unmanned vehicles to hijack or mission failure. The US Air Force now mandates Zero Trust principles for any system managing autonomous platforms, adding encryption and continuous authentication layers that raise cost and design complexity. Vendors must therefore invest heavily in redundant communications and onboard autonomy to mitigate link interruptions.

High acquisition and life-cycle cost vs manned vehicles

The Common Robotic System-Heavy contract capped unit prices above USD 300,000, illustrating premium costs relative to comparable manned assets. Beyond procurement, specialized maintenance, software patching, and operator certification inflate ownership expenses, prompting lawmakers to trim allocations for ground vehicle programs. Affordability pressures heighten interest in modular architectures that leverage commercial off-the-shelf components.

Segment Analysis

By Application: Combat operations drive current demand

Combat platforms represented 54.65% of the military unmanned ground vehicles market in 2024, reflecting the imperative to project lethality while shielding soldiers. The US Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle prototypes from General Dynamics and Textron are scheduled for formation-level trials by 2028. Logistics UGVs recorded the fastest 7.87% CAGR outlook as commanders target automated resupply to reduce convoy exposure.

Persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions exploit UGV endurance and low acoustic signatures, whereas explosive-ordnance disposal remains a mature procurement line under the Common Robotic System series. Engineering and route-clearance vehicles remove mines and obstacles, and training or decoy units support force preparation. The widening mission set underpins the continuous expansion of the military unmanned ground vehicles market.^{[2]Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, “Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2024,” sipri.org}

Military Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market_by Application — Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

By Mode of Operation: Autonomous systems emerge despite regulatory constraints

Tele-operated units held 65.12% of 2024 revenue because the DoD Directive 3000.09 still requires human judgment for lethal decisions. Even so, semi-autonomous navigation that asks operators only for critical approvals is proliferating. Fully autonomous vehicles are projected to rise at a 10.24% CAGR, the fastest within the military unmanned ground vehicles market, as sensor-fusion breakthroughs reduce the need for uninterrupted data links.

Hybrid control modes allow crews to toggle between manual and autonomous behavior when jamming or terrain dictates. The US Army xTechOverwatch competition incentivizes small firms to deliver AI modules that natively support such flexible concepts of operation.

By Mobility Platform: Tracked dominance faces hybrid innovation

Tracked vehicles led with a 52.01% share because militaries trust their mobility across mud, snow, and rubble. Textron’s RIPSAW M3 and General Dynamics TRX showcase tracked fire-support and air-defense variants validated during field experiments.

Wheeled designs deliver higher speed and lower fuel burn on paved surfaces, while legged robots from Ghost Robotics address stairs, rocks, and tight urban gaps. Hybrid mechanisms that transform between wheels and tracks should post a 9.14% CAGR, making them the fastest-growing slice of the military unmanned ground vehicles market as forces demand one chassis for diverse theaters.

By Weight Class: Medium-weight systems balance capability and transportability

Medium UGVs (200-1000 kg) captured 42.60% of the military unmanned ground vehicle market in 2024, balancing payload with strategic airlift compatibility. The SMET Increment II prototype doubled load capacity to 900 kg while remaining sling-loadable by UH-60 aircraft.

Heavy robots enable full armor and high-energy weapons but impose transport constraints. Conversely, micro platforms under 25 kg are forecast for an 8.64% CAGR as battery efficiency and miniaturization progress. Mission-specific sizing rather than one-size-fits-all drives procurement diversity in the military unmanned ground vehicles market.

Geography Analysis

North America retained 39.14% share of the military unmanned ground vehicles market in 2024, underpinned by USD 10.1 billion in DoD funding for uncrewed systems and by multi-service experimentation that spans micro to heavy classes. Canada’s Arctic logistics trials add niche requirements for extreme-cold platforms.

Asia-Pacific is projected to register the highest 7.32% CAGR, driven by Japan’s JPY 103.2 billion (~USD 0.72 billion) unmanned assets line item and India’s INDUS-X initiative, emphasizing joint AI research for autonomous systems. China accelerates development under Military-Civil Fusion, while South Korea’s multipurpose ground robots and Australia’s optionally crewed vehicles aim to secure supply chains amid Indo-Pacific tensions.

Europe amplified spending by 17% to USD 693 billion in 2024, and the European Defence Fund channels grants into autonomous platforms to strengthen NATO deterrence. Germany’s order for 41 advanced EOD UGVs from AeroVironment illustrated immediate operational demand. The Middle East pursues indigenous programs through UAE-based EDGE and Saudi Vision 2030, while Africa explores border-security robots, together contributing a modest but stable opportunity pool.

Military Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market_ by Region — Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Competitive Landscape

The military unmanned ground vehicles market shows moderate concentration. General Dynamics, Rheinmetall, and Textron exploit existing combat-vehicle pedigrees to integrate autonomy, while maintaining robust sustainment networks. Rheinmetall’s 2024 acquisition of Loc Performance Products broadened drivetrain expertise and paired it with Anduril sensor software for optionally manned fighting vehicles.

Disruptors Milrem Robotics and Ghost Robotics exploited agile development to field mission-focused designs. Milrem’s THeMIS saw frontline use in Ukraine, elevating trust among NATO buyers. Ghost Robotics delivered more than 450 Vision 60 legged units that access terrain off-limits to wheels or tracks.

Software supremacy now differentiates contractors. Open-architecture control stacks and edge-compute autonomy kits replace proprietary black-box solutions, enabling faster upgrades and coalition interoperability. Opportunities remain in swarm coordination, cyber-resilient mesh networks, and dual-use humanitarian variants that amortize development costs across civil agencies.

Military Unmanned Ground Vehicle Industry Leaders

Rheinmetall AG
Oshkosh Defense, LLC
Milrem Robotics (Milrem AS)
BAE Systems plc
General Dynamics Land Systems (General Dynamics Corporation)
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

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Recent Industry Developments

March 2025: Through its Telerob unit, AeroVironment secured a contract to deliver 41 advanced EOD UGVs to the German Armed Forces.
March 2025: ARX Robotics raised EUR 31 million (USD 35.42 million), backed by NATO’s Innovation Fund, to retrofit 50,000 NATO vehicles and build 1,800 war robots yearly in the United Kingdom.
September 2024: Kodiak introduced the RIPSAW M3 tracked vehicle for reconnaissance and tactical roles, validating dual-use technology in Robotic Combat Vehicle trials.

Table of Contents for Military Unmanned Ground Vehicle Industry Report

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE

4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Market Drivers
- 4.2.1 Expanding defence budgets among NATO and Indo-Pacific nations
- 4.2.2 Soldier-safety focus driving autonomous combat/logistics platforms
- 4.2.3 AI-enabled sensor-fusion and autonomous navigation breakthroughs
- 4.2.4 Manned–unmanned teaming doctrine in multi-domain operations
- 4.2.5 EW-resilient ground relay nodes demand
- 4.2.6 Climate-disaster engineering missions creating dual-use demand
4.3 Market Restraints
- 4.3.1 Cyber/jamming vulnerability of C2 links
- 4.3.2 High acquisition and life-cycle cost vs manned vehicles
- 4.3.3 Arms-control ambiguity over lethal autonomy
- 4.3.4 Lack of cross-allied interoperability standards
4.4 Value Chain Analysis
4.5 Regulatory Landscape
4.6 Technological Outlook
4.7 Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
- 4.7.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.7.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
- 4.7.3 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.7.4 Threat of Substitutes
- 4.7.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECASTS (VALUE)

5.1 By Application
- 5.1.1 Combat
- 5.1.2 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)
- 5.1.3 Explosive Disposal (EOD)
- 5.1.4 Logistics and Resupply
- 5.1.5 Engineering and Route Clearance
- 5.1.6 Training and Decoy
5.2 By Mobility Platform
- 5.2.1 Wheeled
- 5.2.2 Tracked
- 5.2.3 Legged
- 5.2.4 Hybrid
5.3 By Mode of Operation
- 5.3.1 Tele-operated
- 5.3.2 Autonomous
- 5.3.2.1 Semi-Autonomous
- 5.3.2.2 Fully Autonomous
5.4 By Weight Class
- 5.4.1 Micro (less than 25 kg)
- 5.4.2 Small (25–200 kg)
- 5.4.3 Medium (200–1000 kg)
- 5.4.4 Heavy (more than 1000 kg)
5.5 By Geography
- 5.5.1 North America
- 5.5.1.1 United States
- 5.5.1.2 Canada
- 5.5.2 Europe
- 5.5.2.1 United Kingdom
- 5.5.2.2 Germany
- 5.5.2.3 France
- 5.5.2.4 Italy
- 5.5.2.5 Russia
- 5.5.2.6 Rest of Europe
- 5.5.3 Asia-Pacific
- 5.5.3.1 China
- 5.5.3.2 India
- 5.5.3.3 Japan
- 5.5.3.4 South Korea
- 5.5.3.5 Australia
- 5.5.3.6 Rest of Asia-Pacific
- 5.5.4 South America
- 5.5.4.1 Brazil
- 5.5.4.2 Rest of South America
- 5.5.5 Middle East and Africa
- 5.5.5.1 Middle East
- 5.5.5.1.1 Saudi Arabia
- 5.5.5.1.2 Israel
- 5.5.5.1.3 United Arab Emirates
- 5.5.5.1.4 Rest of Middle East
- 5.5.5.2 Africa
- 5.5.5.2.1 South Africa
- 5.5.5.2.2 Rest of Africa

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

6.1 Market Concentration
6.2 Strategic Moves
6.3 Market Share Analysis
6.4 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)
- 6.4.1 General Dynamics Land Systems (General Dynamics Corporation)
- 6.4.2 Rheinmetall AG
- 6.4.3 KNDS N.V.
- 6.4.4 Oshkosh Defense, LLC
- 6.4.5 L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
- 6.4.6 ASELSAN A.Ş.
- 6.4.7 QinetiQ Group
- 6.4.8 Milrem Robotics (Milrem AS)
- 6.4.9 Robo-Team Ltd.
- 6.4.10 Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
- 6.4.11 Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
- 6.4.12 BAE Systems plc
- 6.4.13 Textron Systems Corporation (Textron, Inc.)
- 6.4.14 HDT Global
- 6.4.15 Elbit Systems Ltd.
- 6.4.16 Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (Kongsberg Gruppen ASA)
- 6.4.17 Hanwha Aerospace (Hanwha Corporation)
- 6.4.18 Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd.
- 6.4.19 FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş.
- 6.4.20 Hyundai Rotem Company.
- 6.4.21 Iveco Defence Vehicles (Iveco Group N.V.)

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

7.1 White-space and Unmet-Need Assessment

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Global Military Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market Report Scope

Military unmanned ground vehicles are robotic systems that operate on land without a human operator onboard. These vehicles are used for various military applications, particularly in environments that are hazardous or unpleasant to humans and for tasks that are difficult or pose unacceptable risks. They can be autonomous or remotely operated.

The military unmanned ground vehicle market is segmented by application, mobility, and geography. By application, the market is segmented into combat, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and explosive disposal. By mobility, the market is segmented into wheeled and tracked. The report also covers the market sizes and forecasts for the military unmanned ground vehicles market in major countries across different regions. For each segment, the market size is provided in terms of value (USD).

By Application	Combat
	Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)
	Explosive Disposal (EOD)
	Logistics and Resupply
	Engineering and Route Clearance
	Training and Decoy
By Mobility Platform	Wheeled
	Tracked
	Legged
	Hybrid
By Mode of Operation	Tele-operated

	Autonomous	Semi-Autonomous
		Fully Autonomous
By Weight Class	Micro (less than 25 kg)
	Small (25–200 kg)
	Medium (200–1000 kg)
	Heavy (more than 1000 kg)

By Geography	North America	United States
		Canada

	Europe	United Kingdom
		Germany
		France
		Italy
		Russia
		Rest of Europe

	Asia-Pacific	China
		India
		Japan
		South Korea
		Australia
		Rest of Asia-Pacific

	South America	Brazil
		Rest of South America

	Middle East and Africa	Middle East	Saudi Arabia
			Israel
			United Arab Emirates
			Rest of Middle East

		Africa	South Africa
			Rest of Africa

By Application

Combat

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)

Explosive Disposal (EOD)

Logistics and Resupply

Engineering and Route Clearance

Training and Decoy

By Mobility Platform

Wheeled

Tracked

Legged

Hybrid

By Mode of Operation

Tele-operated
Autonomous	Semi-Autonomous
	Fully Autonomous

By Weight Class

Micro (less than 25 kg)

Small (25–200 kg)

Medium (200–1000 kg)

Heavy (more than 1000 kg)

By Geography

North America	United States
	Canada
Europe	United Kingdom
	Germany
	France
	Italy
	Russia
	Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific	China
	India
	Japan
	South Korea
	Australia
	Rest of Asia-Pacific
South America	Brazil
	Rest of South America

Middle East and Africa	Middle East	Saudi Arabia
		Israel
		United Arab Emirates
		Rest of Middle East

	Africa	South Africa
		Rest of Africa

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Key Questions Answered in the Report

What is the current size of the military unmanned ground vehicles market?

The military unmanned ground vehicles market stood at USD 2.20 billion in 2025 and is forecasted to reach USD 3.03 billion by 2030, expanding at a 6.61% CAGR.

Which application segment leads the market?

Combat operations held 54.65% of market revenue in 2024, driven by force-protection and lethality requirements.

Which region will grow the fastest through 2030?

Asia-Pacific is projected to post a 7.32% CAGR during 2025-2030 owing to rising budgets in Japan, India, China, and South Korea.

What operational mode is gaining momentum?

Fully autonomous ground vehicles are the fastest-growing mode at a 10.24% CAGR due to AI-enabled navigation improvements.

Why do militaries favor medium-weight platforms?

Medium UGVs balance payload capacity and air-lift compatibility, giving them 42.60% of 2024 revenue and sustained demand for multi-mission roles

How are cyber threats influencing UGV design?

Electronic-warfare risks drive investment in encrypted communications and onboard autonomy so vehicles can survive and operate when links are jammed.