Report Overview

The Body Armor Market size is expected to be worth around USD 4,009.76 million by 2032 from USD 2,438.32 million in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 5.10% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2032.

The armor industry is constantly changing due to technological proliferation. There has been a steady increase in product demand over recent years for innovative techniques such as liquid armor, Dragon skin, and DEFCON. Modular tactical vests and combat uniforms with double-sided designs are in demand due to their superior protection.

Over the forecast period, market growth is expected key trends to be driven by technological advances and the increasing availability of lightweight armor around the world. Kevlar vests’ liquid armor, for example, is an improved technology developed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in order to protect the lives of soldiers. This type of armor can be moved more quickly and easily by soldiers while they run or aim their weapons. The armor becomes rigid when a bullet strikes it. This offers a soldier an improved level of protection when shot at.

Global Body Armor Market

Level Analysis

The body armor market’s ‘Level IV’ segment was the most dominant in 2021, accounting for 25.5% of total revenues. Prudent improvements in the National Institute of Justice standards that helped to determine a specific armor model of high performance can explain this high share. Elmon from Greece has designed a variety of protective vests to meet NIJ standards. These vests can be tailored to suit different missions according to their operational requirements. Glágio Do Brasil (GDB), has also developed a Spike vest, which uses Dupont Kevlar Technology. It protects against stab and spike attacks as well as bullets. The Aramid armors offer 1.16 lbs. of area density per square foot and provide NIJ Type 2 spike and ballistic protection.

In addition to the increased need, the demand for more manufacturing facilities has also increased. In order to make various levels and types of protection shields, manufacturers have been investing millions in research and development activities. To expand their given product lines, companies are choosing to acquire or partner with other entities. The Safariland Group announced in November 2019 that they had acquired LBA International Limited (“LBA”), Aegis Engineering Limited (“Aegis”), as well as Pacific personal Safety Products Inc. (“PSP”) which are prominent players in the production and design of high-performance protective apparel used in the defense sector and law enforcement.

Application Analysis

Over 49.8% of the global revenue share was accounted for by the defense segment in 2021. The increase in battlefield threats, such as bone-breaking and shrapnel in improvised explosive devices, has resulted in the adoption of innovative and tactical ballistic vest protection. Top companies also support a country’s defense industry forces by offering advanced material suits and unique processing technology. 3M Company is an example of this. It has sold more than 100,000 combat helmets with enhanced technology and 2,000,000 ballistic plates for the U.S. Armed Forces.

According to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), law enforcers face many threats. Guns are the most serious. Ballistic-resistant soft armor has saved over 3,000 police officers in the last 20 years. The duties of a law enforcement officer include performing a variety of physically demanding occupational responsibilities as well as managing an external load that includes handcuffs, a chest rig, and weapons. This is due in part to the high demand for lightweight vests shields, which are high quality and have a quick turnaround time for law enforcement agencies.

Material Analysis

In 2021, the composite ceramic market accounted for 30.2% of global revenues. This market share is due to the increasing demand for high-quality. Compared to other materials, composite ceramic provides exceptional protection. Additionally, in comparison to conventional body armor materials, composite ceramic shields are smaller, lighter, and have a denser structure. To expand their product range, companies have been investing significantly to incorporate the above-mentioned characteristics into their product range. Rostec subsidiary Tekhnodinamika (a Russian conglomerate) announced in September 2020 that it had opened a new production plant for high-strength ceramic armor. Companies are also searching for a patent for bullet-proof vests composite material. KookyoungG&M, for example, filed a patent in June 2020 titled Bulletproof multilayered materials, and manufacturing processes.

In order to make these plates more efficient, there has been an increase in the demand for soft product shields worldwide. Research and development activities focus on material properties like low density, high strength, low tenacity, and low elongation after a break. These properties are crucial for soft armor. Companies are focusing on made from different materials in accordance with NIJ standards. This allows them to produce soft body armor market share that is both efficient and competitive. Honeywell Corporation announced, in November 2019, that they were expanding the production of Spectra Fiber. This enables the development of high-performing lightweight armor and ballistic materials.

Product Type Analysis

Soft armor was the largest application segment of this market, accounting for 44.2% of global revenues in 2021. Soft shields are lightweight and ideal for jobs that require flexibility and comfort. Private security guards and officers are among the most satisfied with soft armor. Soft armor is more popular with military personnel because it tends not to be as heavy. Soft armor offers protection against hazards such as fragments of explosions and projectiles.

The demand for armor is expected to increase due to technological advancements and modernization initiatives that encourage security agencies to choose the latest equipment. Hard armor is typically heavier and thicker than soft variants. It is available in titanium, steel plates, and ceramic plates, and is ballistic resistant to high-caliber gunfire. Compared to other options, this product provides greater protection. Due to the increased use of bulletproof bags and backpacks, the accessories segment is expected to grow at a 6.0% annual growth rate. According to Guard Dog Security, there was a notable increase in the sales of bulletproof backpacks manufactured by MJ Safety Solutions LLC, TuffyPacks Inc., or Guard Dog Security in August 2019.

Product Style Analysis

Overt segments accounted for over 85.2% of global revenues in 2021. Kevlar has used overt body armor, which offers greater personal protection against heavy gunfire and large spikes/blades. Overt body armor material is generally worn over clothing. They are heavier and bulkier because they are constructed with many layers of Kevlar. Over the forecast period, covert armor is expected to grow at a noteworthy CAGR of 5.3%. This is due to the increased demand for lightweight armor that offers exceptional ballistic protection. EnGarde Dual Use, a lightweight that protects against AK-47 MSC bullets, is made by EnGarde Body Armor in the Netherlands.

Over the forecast period, the covert product segment will index the most growth. Covert armor, unlike overt armor, can be worn comfortably under normal clothing or a regular uniform. It is suitable for Very Important Persons (VIPs) and security personnel who are not comfortable showing the armor. Point Blank Enterprises Inc., which is a U.S.-based producer of protective, presented its new solutions at the SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show, Conference) Show in January 2020. The company displayed various including a compression carrier that can be used for covert protection.

Key Market Segments:

Levels

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

Application

• Defense
• Civilians
• Law Enforcement Protection

Material

• Steel
• Aramid
• UHMWPE
• Composite Ceramic
  • Alumina
  • Ceramic-Metal Composite
  • Silicon Carbide (SiC)
  • Boron Carbide
  • Others
• Others

Product Type

• Soft Armor
  • Shields
  • Plates & Inserts
• Hard Armor
  • Shields
  • Plates & Inserts
• Accessories
  • Helmets
  • Carrier
  • Others

Product Style

• Overt
• Covert

Market Dynamics

This market is vulnerable and is subject to various acts and regulations. Its products are tested and certified by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the United States Department of Defense (DoD), and Underwriters Laboratories India. To ensure that armor plates can withstand any threat, vendors must adhere to standards. These standards are used to identify the strength of attack that a body armor plate can withstand. Market vendors face challenges because of regulatory changes designed to increase safety. Additionally, laws restricting possession and ownership (e.g. the Body Armor Control Act or Body Armor Possession Act 2015) hinder their widespread adoption in emerging markets like India.

Modern warfare practices and tactics include counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, and guerrilla warfare operations. These can injure soldiers, causing serious injuries. Similar scenarios can be found in law enforcement where criminals, felons, or law offenders can injure corresponding officers. The need for equipment and ballistic protection suits for military expenditure and military forces is increasing due to greater military warfare being carried out across several parts of the world. To ease soldier fatigue and alleviate discomfort, enhanced ballistic protective systems are being created. Sensor Products Inc. has developed a body-mapping pressure system called Tactilus. This will allow engineers and designers to create armor that can optimally distribute a soldier’s loads. KDH Defense System of Johnstown (PA) is the project manager through a contract with U.S. Air Force.

Ceramic armors have seen recent developments that demonstrate the versatility of ceramics in lightweight products. Kata Vitec is an Israeli protection solution that includes hard armor plates. It produces and supplies assault vests featuring advanced technology such as glass-ceramics inserts to allow for unrestricted movement. They are lightweight and cost-effective. Pinnacle Armor also offers Dragonskin body armor. The armor is made from bulletproof ceramic leaves. These flexible layers are shaped like fish scales and have bulletproof ceramic leaves which makes the flexible body armor.

The demand for lightweight body armor and comfortable, and more durable protection armor material will drive revenue growth prospects for ceramic armor producers over the forecast period. The field of Ultra high molecular-weight Polyethylene materials (UHMWPE), has seen significant advancements, which have allowed the development and manufacture of products with excellent ballistic effectiveness. UHMWPE materials offer a 40% increase in strength-to-weight ratio but are significantly more expensive than para-aramid fibers. UHMWPE will be a prominent material for manufacturing protection shields because of these advantages.

Regional Analysis

North America accounted for over 32.6% of the global market share in 2021. This is due to the growing adoption of ballistic protective suits across different industries. KDH Defense System Inc., a North Carolina company, produced more than US$40 million of vests and accessories for the U.S. Army. Inceptor outer tactical vest with the demand for body armor was also manufactured by the company. It is the predecessor to the army IOTV. Additionally, companies are willing to supply lightweight, high-efficiency by obtaining a contract with the government. Ceradyne Inc., for example, announced it had received a contract worth US$111.1 million in March 2020. Body protection plates, which are primarily utilized in tactical vests for defense personnel, will be provided by the company to the U.S. Army and Air Force under this deal.

The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to experience significant growth over the next few years. This is due to the substantial increase in investments made for the military sectors and defense agencies segment of these countries. For instance, the Chinese Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) declared in February 2020 that it will purchase 1.4 million units over the following few years for US$1.85 million. This is because China is preparing to engage the United States in military operations conflicts. The PLA army also held open tenders to acquire 467,000 bulletproof vest plates and 930,000 bulletproof vest body armor user units.

Key Regions and Countries Covered іn this Rероrt:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• APAC
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • India
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• MEA
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Israel
  • Rest of MEA

Market Share Analysis

Vendors in this market growth factors are aggressively focusing on increasing their customer bases and gaining a competitive advantage over other vendors. They are pursuing various strategic initiatives including mergers & acquisitions and collaborations as well as new product/technology development. PlanarTECH LLC, for example, signed a partnership with IDEATI S.A. in April 2020 to distribute its bulletproof vests and ballistic plate products for armor.

Avon Protection, which is a global provider of life-critical solutions for militaries also purchased Ceradyne (a 3M wholly-owned subsidiary). To win a contract with the U.S. Army Air Force, the company made this strategic acquisition. The company received a contract worth US$111 million in March 2020 to supply body protection plates.

Key Market Players

• Aegis Engineering Ltd.
• BAE Systems Plc
• AR500 Armor
• Craig International Ballistics Pty Ltd.
• DuPont Deenside LTD.
• Ballistic Body Armor Pty
• Hellweg International Pty Ltd.
• Honeywell International Inc.
• KDH Defense Systems, Inc.
• MKU Pvt. Ltd.
• Ceradyne Inc.
• Bluewater Defense Inc.
• Safariland LLC
• Sarkar Tactical Ltd. (Sarkar Defense Solutions)
• Survitec Group Limited
• Pacific Safety Products Inc.
• U.S. Armor Corporation
• Uvex Group
• Kejo Limited Company
• Point Blank Enterprises Inc
• Australian Defence Apparel Pty Ltd.
• ArmorSource LLC
• Ningbo Dacheng
• Jihua Group
• Huaan Securities

Other Key Players

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For the Body Armor Market research study, the following years have been considered to estimate the market size: