Bulletproof Vests Market Expected to Reach $3.2 Billion by 2032—Allied Market Research

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Bulletproof Vests Market," The bulletproof vests market was valued at $1.8 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $3.2 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2023 to 2032.

Asia-Pacific is expected to experience significant growth during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific includes countries such as China, Japan, India, South Korea, and the rest of Asia-Pacific. The demand for advanced protective gear, including bulletproof vests, is rising in China and India due to substantial investments in military upgrades, with additional trends such as lightweight solutions for law enforcement and sustainable innovations contribute to market growth.

Countries like China and India are investing significantly in upgrading the capabilities of their armed forces, including the adoption of advanced protective gear. This trend is fostering a demand for vests that offer not only ballistic resistance but also enhanced features such as modularity, compatibility with additional equipment, and adaptability to diverse operational environments.

Another notable trend is the surge in demand for lightweight and high-performance vests for law enforcement agencies across the region. With the rise in urbanization and security challenges, countries like Japan and South Korea are witnessing a trend toward the adoption of concealed and wearable protective solutions.

Moreover, an increase in R&D China to develop bulletproof vest sustainably is expected to propel the growth of the market. For instance, in September 2023, Chinese scientists developed the first full-length spider silk fiber from genetically engineered silkworms. This silk fiber exhibits six times the toughness of a bulletproof vest. The development is crucial in the quest for sustainable, eco-friendly, high-strength alternatives to non-sustainable synthetic fibers like nylon. This breakthrough opens the door for the commercialization of spider silk as a sustainable substitute for synthetic fibers, with potential applications in making comfortable bulletproof vests.

The market is governed by factors such as insurgency activities and geopolitical conflicts, advancements in lightweight and durable ballistic materials, and increase in government budget on defense which positively impact the market growth. However, factors such as the high cost of advanced body armor materials, and weight and thermal burden affect the market growth. On the contrary, integration of smart textiles, sensors, and increase in demand for specialized bulletproof vests tailored to specific industry needs are the factors which create direct or indirect impact on the growth of the market during the forecast period.

The integration of smart textiles, sensors, and communications devices into bulletproof vests has emerged as a technology opportunity, which shapes product innovation in the market.

Leading manufacturers are actively developing smart armor platforms by harnessing IoT capabilities to enhance safety, connectivity, and situational awareness for users. For instance, in March 2020, the U.S. military announced development of body armor sensors capable of detecting and measuring exposure to potentially harmful blasts. Blast gauges are being integrated into body armor to assess whether a U.S. service member has encountered a hazardous blast. The system employs three blast sensors, one for the head, one for the chest, and one for the shoulder to gather blast overpressure data. This information could be utilized to assess whether an affected service member requires medical evaluation.

Moreover, the integration of conductive nanomaterials and miniaturized electronic modules enables construction of smart vests that are comfortable and covert. Flexible antennas, power sources and physiological sensors are being seamlessly incorporated into the vest lining and panels.

Therefore, the application of advanced textiles, flexible electronics and wireless modules is transforming basic bulletproof vests into integrated smart armor platforms. This integration of IoT capabilities enhances functionality while addressing weight and encumbrance challenges. It creates significant opportunities for product differentiation and technical capabilities in the evolving landscape of the bulletproof vests industry.

Impact of Russia-Ukraine War

The conflict has triggered a strategic reassessment of defense priorities in affected and neighboring nations. This reassessment is exhibiting an increased focus on investing in modern, technologically advanced protective equipment, including bulletproof vests. Governments are recalibrating defense budgets to ensure the acquisition of state-of-the-art vests that address contemporary threats, reflecting a ripple effect on procurement strategies within the bulletproof vests market.

Geopolitical tensions associated with the conflict have introduced a layer of complexity to trade dynamics within the bulletproof vests market. Export controls, regulatory changes, and diplomatic considerations are projected to influence the cross-border flow of protective products.

KEY FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

• By type, the soft bulletproof vest segment is anticipated to exhibit significant growth in the future.
• By protection level, the III, IIIA segment is anticipated to exhibit significant growth in the future.
• By end user, the military and law enforcement segment is anticipated to exhibit significant growth in the future.
• By region, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Key players operating in the global bulletproof vests market include Point Blank Enterprises, Inc., MARS Armor Ltd., U.S. Armor Corporation, VestGuard UK Ltd., Armor Express, MKU Limited, Slate Solutions, Safariland, LLC., EnGarde Body Armor, and ARGUN s.r.o.