Non-lethal Weapons Market

The global non-lethal weapons market valued $7,378.2 million in 2020 and is projected to reach $12,490.5 million in 2028, registering a CAGR of 7.4%.

The COVID-19 outbreak forced governments across the globe to implement strict lockdowns and made social distancing mandatory to contain the spread of the virus. As a result, the private and commercial security industries were one of the most severely affected industries by the pandemic and observed a decline of investments initially. However, amid the coronavirus pandemic, several riots and conflicts with the government were witnessed across various parts of the world and the law enforcement agencies made use of non-lethal weapons to control the situations. The pandemic has resulted in an accelerated shift towards the adoption of non-lethal measures as the use of non-lethal and less-lethal weapons acts as a more humane alternative to firearms in riot control operations.

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.

The rise in innovations and the development of new non-lethal weapon technologies is anticipated to fuel the growth of the global non-lethal weapon market during the forecast period. For instance, in May 2021, Wrap Technologies, Inc. released footage of a successful BolaWrap deployment. BolaWrap device is a remote restraint device and helps the security operatives to neutralize the suspect without using force. Modern non-lethal weapons reduce the need for pain compliance tools or injury-causing tools for controlling a subject.   

The non-lethal weapons market is segmented into technology, product type, end user, and region. By technology, it is divided into chemical, electroshock, mechanical and kinetic, acoustic/light, and others. By product type, it is fragmented into gases & sprays, grenades, taser guns, bullets, and others. By end user, it is classified into law enforcement agencies, military, and citizens. By region it is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
  
Key players operating in the global non-lethal weapons market include ALS Less-Lethal Systems, Inc., ASP, Inc., Combined Systems, Inc., Condor Non-Lethal Technologies, ISPRA by Ei Ltd., Nonlethal Technologies, Inc., Pepperball Technologies, Inc., Rheinmentall AG, Safariland, LLC, and Zarc International Inc.

Rise in territorial conflicts globally

Non-lethal weapons are quite useful in controlling the furious crowd and undertaking military operations by employing non-lethal technologies such as tasers, flash-bang & smoke grenades, rubber bullets, and tear gas that only do low to moderate injuries on people’s bodies. While the use of lethal weapons such as opening fire on the uncontrollable crowd can have serious implications on the lives of rioters and law enforcement personnel; it can also make the protests turn more aggressive., the use of non-lethal weapons can safely handle situations and these weapons are quite useful in managing unlawful events. 

The world encounters various conflicts that happen across all the countries throughout the year. May that be the frequent conflicts in cases in the Middle East or Asian countries, or in the U.S., violent instances have been witnessed in the recent years. Non-lethal weapons are quite suitable for law enforcement agencies to control the mob without resulting in the loss of life of rioters. Law enforcement agencies are adopting non-lethal weapons that are meant to reduce harm and injury. For instance, in February 2021, San Jose police introduced non-lethal weapons as a substitute for guns for crowd control operations. Furthermore, in December 2020, Dallas City Council approved expenditure of approximately $8 million over five years on less-than-lethal and police ammunition and supplies, for instance, rubber bullets and tear gas. Non-lethal weapons help in managing the crowd and in defense operations without causing any casualties. Hence, the demand for non-lethal weapons is expected to increase during the forecast timeframe.

Technologically advanced solutions

There has been a rise in the demand for non-lethal weapons due to their advanced features and ability to control riot situations without causing casualties. This has enabled defense organizations and key players to improve their product portfolios with advanced technologies. Laser interdiction systems, long-range acoustic devices, enhanced underwater loudhailers, flash-bang grenades, acoustic hailing devices, modular crowd control munitions, and TASERs are the examples of the latest product technologies. Companies such as TASER International, Inc., PepperBall Technologies, The Safariland Group, LRAD Corporation (Genasys, Inc.), and others have advanced products in their non-lethal category. For instance, TASER X26P uses trilogy logs, a universal smart platform, and it is equipped with a charge metering technique that measures and controls the electric charges to immobilize targets. LRAD Corporation develops acoustic hailing devices which use electromagnetic sound waves and thermal radiations to control riot situations. PepperBall Technologies develops the most differentiated range of projectiles such as LIVE X, which contain pelargonic acid vanillylamide (PAVA) which when fired, produces the sensation of heat and pain. Continuous innovation and introduction of cost-effective products are expected to further stimulate the market growth during the forecast period.

Government regulations and environmental concerns

Some countries have banned the use of non-lethal weapons. For instance, stun guns, pepper sprays, and TASERs are not permitted for usage even for self-defense in New Zealand, Hawaii; while in Illinois, they are legal but the usage comes with some restrictions as stated in Illinois Stun Gun Laws. In other U.S. states such as Massachusetts and Michigan, carrying Tasers is allowed but one needs to have a firearms license. In addition, variations in gun laws differ from state to state and some states have categorized non-lethal guns as illegal, which further restricts the adoption of non-lethal guns in the U.S. Moreover, there are harmful effects to environment due to the use of smoke bombs, flash grenades, signaling devices, and others which are expected to create obstacles for the growth of the market during the forecast period. Moreover, there is resistance from human rights activists due to harmful injuries that happen to civilians during control operations (as observed during Black Lives Matter protests). These restraining factors are expected to deter the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Increase in budgetary expenses in military

Military expenditures among various developed countries have increased significantly and this phenomenon is expected to experience an increase in the coming years. According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) 2020, U.S., China, India, Russia, and UK, were the top 5 countries to spend a large percentage of their GDP on military expenses. The total global military expenditure in 2020 was US$ 1,981 billion and US$ 1,917 billion in 2019. Furthermore, according to U.S. Naval Institute (UNSI), the U.S. Department of Defense is aiming to increase the adoption of non-lethal weapons to fill the capability gaps with the use of non-lethal weapons to tackle the gray zone warfare situations with Russia and China. In addition, according to Forbes magazine, the U.S. DoD wants to equip unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) with non-lethal lasers and microwave cannons. According to a U.S. Navy research solicitation, the department is exploring various non-lethal weapons for applications such as incapacitating people or disabling vehicles. These events show there is a constant rise in the budgetary expenses by military organizations for the development of new less-lethal weapons, which is expected to continue during the forecast timeline.

Countries such as the U.S. and China are investing extensively to develop state-of-the-art non-lethal weapons to control violent incidents such as Capitol Hill, Black Lives Matter, and erratic protests in Hong Kong. For instance, according to the Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office report 2019, China has apparently designed a sound weapon that can precisely target people or groups in a mob of protestors, making them incapable to control themselves and render them easy pickings for law enforcement teams. Such developments are anticipated to boost the growth of the global non-lethal market during the forecast timeframe.  

COVID-19 Impact Analysis 

• The COVID impact on the non-lethal weapons market is unpredictable and it is expected to remain in force till the second quarter of the 2021. 
• The COVID-19 outbreak forced the governments across the globe to implement strict lockdowns and made the social distancing mandatory to contain the spread of the virus. Consequently, several organizations started the work from home programs which as safety measures. This led to sudden fall in demand for non-lethal weapons for personal use across the world. 
• Moreover, the nationwide lockdown forced the non-lethal weapons manufacturing facilities to partially or completely shut their operations.
• The adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in the delays in the activities and initiatives regarding the development of innovative non-lethal weapons solutions globally.

Key Benefits For Stakeholders

• This study presents the analytical depiction of the global non-lethal weapons market analysis along with the current trends and future estimations to depict imminent investment pockets.
• The overall non-lethal weapons market opportunity is determined by understanding profitable trends to gain a stronger foothold.
• The report presents information related to the key drivers, restraints, and opportunities of the global non-lethal weapons market with a detailed impact analysis.
• The current non-lethal weapons market is quantitatively analyzed from 2020 to 2028 to benchmark the financial competency.
• Porter’s five forces analysis illustrates the potency of the buyers and suppliers in the industry.

Key Market Segments

By Technology

• Chemical
• Electroshock 
• Mechanical and Kinetic
• Acoustic/Light
• Others

By Product Type

• Gases and Sprays
• Grenades
• Bullets
• Taser Guns
• Others

By End-Users

• Law Enforcement Agencies
• Military
• Citizens

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Russia
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• LAMEA
  • Latin America
  • Middle East
  • Africa

KEY PLAYERS

• ALS Less-Lethal Systems, Inc.
• ASP, Inc.
• Combined Systems, Inc.
• Condor Non-Lethal Technologies
• ISPRA by Ei Ltd.
• Nonlethal Technologies, Inc.
• Pepperball Technologies, Inc.
• Rheinmentall AG
• Safariland, LLC
• Zarc International Inc.

 Non-lethal Weapons Market Report Highlights