1 Global Non Lethal Weapons Market Size and Product Definition
Non-lethal weapons (NLWs) belong to the category of new conceptual weapons, usually as opposed to traditional weapons. Its main purpose is to incapacitate targeted personnel or materiel in a short time while minimizing fatalities, permanent injury to personnel, and undesired damage to property. One of the most important characteristics of non-lethal weapons is that they can be used to incapacitate or deter potential threats and try to not cause fatal harm as much as possible.
The global non-lethal weapons market is projected to experience steady growth over the next decade, beginning at $6.12 billion in 2023 and estimated to reach $10.276 billion by 2033. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the forecast period is approximately 5.2%.
This substantial growth indicates a strong and expanding market for non-lethal weapons, driven by increasing demand for less-lethal solutions in various sectors such as law enforcement, military, and others. The market’s trajectory reflects a positive outlook with considerable potential for future growth and investment in this sector.
Figure Global Non Lethal Weapons Value (M USD) and Growth Rate from 2020-2033
2 Non Lethal Weapons Market Drivers and Limitations
Table Drivers of Non Lethal Weapons
Drivers | Description |
Increasing demand of non-lethal weapons | The non-lethal weapons market has experienced significant growth and development in recent years. Non-lethal weapons, also known as less-lethal weapons, are designed to incapacitate, deter, or immobilize targets without causing fatal injuries. Non-lethal weapons aim to disable people and machinery. They aid in reducing fatalities, people’s lasting injuries, and unintended property damage in the targeted location or environment. They have a direct impact on the personnel and have psychological impacts. They also assist in defusing situations involving the use of force. They are, therefore, widely used for military policing tasks, including crowd control or dispersal, guarding convoys and other types of route control, transporting or securing prisoners of war, and maintaining security details or guard duties. The rise in instances of unrest across the world owing to several controversial laws and legislations implemented by governments worldwide have surged the need for weapons with minimal possibility for a casualty. The human rights legislators and governments have passed policies for the adoption of weapons with fewer risks of death of a suspect across multiple security and defense agencies. Non-lethal weapons such as pepper sprays, batons, and stun guns are a small, affordable, portable, and legal solution for self-defense in a hostile environment. The non-lethal weapons also act as a critical element in providing personal security for the security personnel. In addition, non-lethal weapons act as a first line of defense against an attack. They play a crucial role in law enforcement, military operations, and riot control, as they offer alternative means of force while minimizing the risk of lethal outcomes. The market for non-lethal weapons is driven by several factors. Growing concerns about civilian casualties and human rights violations have prompted governments and security agencies to seek non-lethal alternatives to conventional firearms. Non-lethal weapons provide law enforcement personnel with effective tools for handling various situations, including crowd control, hostage rescue, and suspect apprehension, without resorting to lethal force. Increasing armed violence and political tensions resulted in governments worldwide taking precautions and arming the military and police forces with non-lethal weapons. Moreover, the rising instances of civilian violence and clashes with armed forces in various parts of the world also led to a growth in non-lethal weapons worldwide. |
Table Limitations of Non Lethal Weapons
Limitations | Description |
Ethical concerns and the potential for misuse pose | Ethical concerns and the potential for misuse pose significant challenges to the non-lethal weapons industry growth. Ambiguity in determining the appropriate threshold for their use may result in unintended consequences and public skepticism. Instances of misuse, especially in crowd control situations, can lead to legal scrutiny and erode public trust. Establishing clear guidelines for the ethical deployment of non-lethal weapons and addressing concerns about their potential misuse are crucial for fostering acceptance and sustainable market growth. |
3 Global Non Lethal Weapons Market Value by Type
The global non-lethal weapons market has shown a significant upward trend from 2020 to 2025, with the total market value increasing from $5.16 billion to an estimated $6.87 billion. Direct Contact Weapons have contributed substantially to this growth, with their market value rising from $4.27 billion in 2020 to a projected $5.75 billion in 2025. Directed Energy Weapons have also seen a steady increase, starting at $891.82 million in 2020 and expected to reach $1.12 billion by 2025. This consistent expansion across both weapon types underscores the growing reliance on non-lethal solutions for various security and defense applications, reflecting the market’s potential and the impact of technological advancements in this sector.
Table Global Non Lethal Weapons Value (M USD) by Type (2020-2025)
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
Direct Contact Weapons | 4269.17 | 4468.51 | 4727.73 | 5087.05 | 5441.45 | 5750.54 |
Directed Energy Weapons | 891.82 | 944.55 | 983.81 | 1033.60 | 1080.86 | 1117.72 |
Total | 5160.99 | 5413.06 | 5711.55 | 6120.65 | 6522.31 | 6868.26 |
4 Global Non Lethal Weapons Market Value and Share by Application
The global non-lethal weapons market has been witnessing a significant increase in value across various applications from 2020 to 2025. The market is segmented primarily into three applications: Law Enforcement, Military, and Others. In 2020, the total market value was $5.16 billion, with Law Enforcement accounting for $3.86 billion, Military for $1.17 billion, and Others at $133.15 million. This upward trend is expected to continue, with the Law Enforcement sector reaching an estimated value of $5.06 billion in 2025, Military at $1.64 billion, and Others at $171.75 million. The total market value is projected to be $6.87 billion by 2025.
Table Global Non Lethal Weapons Value (M USD) by Application (2020-2025)
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
Law Enforcement | 3858.87 | 4048.30 | 4257.32 | 4553.78 | 4822.38 | 5055.22 |
Military | 1168.96 | 1223.46 | 1304.48 | 1409.91 | 1536.57 | 1641.29 |
Others | 133.15 | 141.29 | 149.75 | 156.96 | 163.36 | 171.75 |
Total | 5160.99 | 5413.06 | 5711.55 | 6120.65 | 6522.31 | 6868.26 |
In the distribution of the global non-lethal weapons market share by applications for the year 2024, the Law Enforcement sector constitutes the largest portion, holding a significant 73.94% of the market share. This indicates a heavy reliance on non-lethal weapons for public safety and security measures. The Military sector accounts for 23.56% of the market, reflecting the utilization of these weapons in military operations and peacekeeping missions. The ‘Others’ category, which encompasses a variety of additional applications such as private security and personal defense, represents a smaller segment at 2.50%. This distribution suggests that while there is a strong emphasis on the Law Enforcement sector, there is also a substantial demand for non-lethal weapons in the military and other sectors.
Figure Global Non Lethal Weapons Market Share by Applications in 2024
5 North America Non Lethal Weapons Value and Gross Margin (2020-2025)
The North American non-lethal weapons market has shown a steady increase in value from 2020 to 2025, with the total market value rising from $1.90 billion in 2020 to an estimated $2.57 billion in 2025. The gross margin has fluctuated slightly over the years, starting at 56.48% in 2020, peaking at 58.05% in 2021, and then experiencing a slight decline to 54.28% by 2025. Despite these minor variations, the gross margin has remained relatively stable, indicating a healthy profit margin within the industry. This sustained growth and stable gross margins underscore the robust demand and economic viability of non-lethal weapons in North America, suggesting a positive outlook for the market’s continued expansion.
Table North America Non Lethal Weapons Value (M USD) and Gross Margin (2020-2025)
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
Value (M USD) | 1898.73 | 1983.17 | 2087.26 | 2248.37 | 2430.43 | 2569.62 |
Gross (M USD) | 1072.46 | 1151.30 | 1138.78 | 1246.57 | 1359.37 | 1394.84 |
Gross Margin | 56.48% | 58.05% | 54.56% | 55.44% | 55.93% | 54.28% |
6 Europe Non Lethal Weapons Value and Gross Margin (2020-2025)
The European non-lethal weapons market has demonstrated a steady increase in value from 2020 to 2025, with the total market value rising from approximately $1.29 billion in 2020 to an estimated $1.65 billion in 2025. The gross margin has experienced slight fluctuations over the years, starting at 55.55% in 2020, peaking at 57.19% in 2021, and then experiencing a decrease to 53.51% by 2025. Despite these minor variations, the gross margin has remained relatively stable, indicating a consistent profitability within the industry.
Table Europe Non Lethal Weapons Value (M USD) and Gross Margin (2020-2025)
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
Value (M USD) | 1297.99 | 1349.70 | 1418.31 | 1502.32 | 1581.81 | 1650.05 |
Gross (M USD) | 721.09 | 771.87 | 754.56 | 817.74 | 861.76 | 882.95 |
Gross Margin | 55.55% | 57.19% | 53.20% | 54.43% | 54.48% | 53.51% |
7 Top 3 Market Share of Non Lethal Weapons Companies in 2024
In the non-lethal weapons market for the year 2024, the top three companies collectively hold a market share of 15.45%, indicating a significant position in the sector. This suggests that these companies likely have a strong standing in terms of market influence and product supply. The remaining 84.55% of the market share is attributed to other companies, which implies a competitive and fragmented market landscape where a multitude of additional players also contribute to the industry’s overall value.
Figure Top 3 Market Share of Non Lethal Weapons Companies
